North Versailles man sentenced for sex crimes
Sex crimes are serious offenses that warrant years in jail and even longer on probation, essentially ruining a person’s life and hampering them from getting gainful employment or even a place to live. People who are charged with sex crimes in Pennsylvania should seek a quality criminal defense attorney who understands the law and has the experience to ensure his or her client gets the best possible defense they can receive. Generally, most sex crimes are surrounded by a stigma where those accused are guilty until proven innocent; however, a good criminal defense lawyer will make sure that you are indeed innocent until proven guilty. A man from North Versailles, PA has been sentenced to ten years in jail for prostituting a 17-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl. A federal judge made the ruling this morning against 33-year-old Rasul Abernathy, originally of Chester County. The man pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor this past September and admitted to prostituting a 16-year-old girl. It is reported that the ten-year prison sentence is part of the man’s plea bargain with the federal government. When he was asked by United States District Judge Mark Hornak to make a statement after he was sentenced, Abernathy simply stated: “I have nothing, your honor.” In addition to his prison sentence, Abernathy will also be given five years of probation when his sentence is complete. According to reports, Abernathy and his 35-year-old girlfriend, a former prison guard, had an apartment in North Versailles. They admitted to forcing a 16-year-old runaway girl into prostitution and profited from it. Abernathy admitting to finding the 17-year-old boy through an unnamed website and persuaded the boy to work for Abernathy and his girlfriend. Evidence against the couple included internet advertisements and hotel bills, according to Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Smolar. Abernathy’s girlfriend pleaded guilty of sex trafficking of a minor this past October and awaiting sentencing on 11 February. If you have been charged with sex crimes, or if you simply have questions, call Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney Gary Gerson today for a free consultation at 412-219-6875. Source: TribLive.com, “North Versailles man will spend 10 years in prison for prostituting boy, 17” 8 January 2015
