Tommy Handy, aka “Tom Tom,” waived indictment and pleaded guilty in federal court in Little Rock, Ark., to a federal charge of sex trafficking of an underage female. Handy, 45, admitted during the hearing that he knew an underage female with the initials of “DB” was between the ages of 14 and 18 when she was caused to engage in commercial sex acts and that Handy benefited from her engaging in the commercial sex acts.

According to the plea agreement, the pending indictment was dismissed upon the court’s acceptance of Handy’s plea to the sex trafficking charge. As a result of his plea, Handy could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled by the court. Handy remains in custody pending his sentencing.

Handy’s co-defendant, Everett Cooney, who is also in custody, also pleaded guilty to this charge on July 10, 2009, and is awaiting sentencing.

The case is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Little Rock Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ray White and Trial Attorney Jim Felte of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

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