Charleston Man Indicted on Sex Trafficking Charge

Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations unit arrested a Charleston man Thursday in connection with the prostitution and trafficking of an underage female, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office statement.

Booker T. Vanderhorst, 65, was indicted in federal court on one count of sex trafficking of children, one count of use of interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Vanderhorst is accused of knowingly prostituting a minor female between July and October of 2012, according to the statement.

The sex trafficking of children charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and can go to a maximum of life in prison. Use of interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity can carry a maximum sentence of five years and the possession of a firearm by a prohibited person charge can carry a sentence of up to 10 years.

Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Williams of the Charleston office will prosecute the case.