By Sadef Ali Kully
ST. ALBANS — A couple pleaded guilty to sex trafficking Tuesday after admitting they forced a 15-year-old girl into prostitution last year the Queens DA said.
“The defendants’ guilty pleas ensure that the defendants will be held accountable for their actions and allow the victim to move forward with her life,” District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Jason Owens, 26, of 198th Street in St. Albans, and Chatara Dacosta, 29, of 229th Street in Laurelton, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking, he said.
According to the indictment, the defendants held a 15-year-old Queens girl against her will and advertised sex in exchange for money on the Backpage website. The pair forced the girl, using both threats and physical abuse, to perform sex acts.
Owens will be sentenced May 19 and faces three to nine years in prison. Dacosta will be sentenced April 20 and faces one to four years in prison.
Owens is also awaiting sentencing following a conviction at trial of robbery charges Feb. 27, Brown said.
