By Karen Frantz
Two men pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of forcing a 14-year-old girl to work as a prostitute, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
According to the DA, Shaquan Gould, of 135-38 123rd St. in South Ozone Park, and Evan Harrington, of 658 East 234th St. in the Bronx, both 21, were accused of holding the victim in a house in South Ozone Park for a week in April, forcing her to engage in prostitution acts and turn over her earnings to them. The victim escaped on April 26, a release from the DA’s office said.
“The defendants in this case admitted to forcing a young girl to perform sexual acts with various men against her will,” Brown said after the Queens Supreme Court proceeding. “Sex trafficking is a serious and disturbing crime that my office continues to vigorously pursue and prosecute.”
Sentencing is set for Oct. 23, according to the DA release.
Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at kfrantz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
