Columbia Heights Man Pleads Guilty To Prostitution Charge at Roseville Hotel

The following press release was issued by the Ramsey County Attorney's Office:

Samuel Cozart pleaded guilty Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court to the prostitution of a 17 year-old girl earlier this year at a Roseville area hotel.

Cozart, 34, of Columbia Heights, will be sentenced on June 6.

“This case reinforces our determination to treat children who are being prostituted as victims, and aggressively prosecute those engaged in exploitation and sex trafficking,” said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi.

According to the criminal complaint, on January 24,  Roseville Police were called to the Days Inn Hotel, 2550 Cleveland Ave. North in Roseville by the manager who suspected a patron was prostituting an underage female.

The hotel manager explained to police that a quick internet check of the defendant’s name turned up an escort service known as M.A. Entertainment on www.backpages.com featuring the juvenile victim.

After removing both the victim and the defendant from the hotel room, officers confirmed that the victim had been prostituted in exchange for money and methamphetamine.

Further investigation revealed that the victim had posted on the website and that she and the defendant were on their way to a prostitution job when police arrived. She then broke down and asked for help during the investigation.