Cross-country sex trafficking conspiracy brought minor to Florida, prosecutors say

MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — A federal trial jury in Miami convicted a Texas couple for orchestrating a sex trafficking conspiracy in which a minor victim was taken to several states before ending up in Florida.

The jury delivered its verdict on Xavier Latrell Smith, 34, and Jayla Denice Welch, 22, who faced convictions on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor for sexual activity, and coercion and enticement of a minor for sexual activity. Smith was also found guilty of two counts of committing a sex offense as a registered sex offender.

The five-day trial revealed evidence demonstrating how Smith, a registered sex offender, and Welch enticed the minor victim with false promises of a better life, only to exploit her for sexual purposes, according to a Department of Justice news release.