Man Sentenced 21 Years in Prostitution of Girl at Roseville Hotel

Editor's Note: The Ramsey County Attorney's Office submitted the following press release about the sentencing of 39-year-old Columbia Heights man in connection with the promotion of prostitution of a 17-year-old girl at a Roseville hotel.

"Samuel Cozart was sentenced to 21 years today (Wednesday) in Ramsey County District Court for the prostitution of a 17 year-old girl earlier this year at a Roseville area hotel.

In April, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of promotion of Prostitution.
Cozart, 39, will have to register as a sex offender as part of his sentence.
According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 24, Roseville Police were called to the at 2550 Cleveland Avenue North in Roseville by the manager who suspected a patron was prostituting an underage female.

The 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.backpage.com featuring the juvenile victim.
“Our justice system sent a strong message today to those who prostitute young girls in our community,” said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. “This significant sentence is a declaration that Ramsey County will hold traffickers of prostitution accountable for their crimes.”
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.

Pursuant to the policy of Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and his colleagues, the 17-year-old juvenile was not charged with prostitution, rather treated as a victim of sex trafficking.
“I applaud the work of the Roseville Police Department to treat the juvenile as a victim in this case as well as the actions of the hotel employee at the Days Inn to bring the defendant to justice,” remarked Choi.
 “I repeat my call for Village Voice Media to shut down the adult section of its online classified site, Backpage.com, because it serves as a platform to traffic minors for sex.”