U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 11, 2021

Upshur County Man Convicted of Sex Offense Against Minor

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A federal jury convicted an Upshur County man yesterday of attempted sex trafficking of a minor. George Albert Romer, Jr., 63, of Buckhannon was charged by a single-count Indictment in November 2019.

Evidence at trial revealed that on October 31, 2019, Romer began communicating via a dating application with a person he understood to be a 15-year-old girl in Lewisburg, West Virginia. During the messages, Romer offered to pay the girl $100 to engage in sexual intercourse. On November 1, 2019, Romer drove from Buckhannon to Lewisburg and rented a hotel room in order to meet the minor. He was placed under arrest shortly thereafter.

Romer faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on October 18, 2021. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

“The work of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is critical in our efforts to combat child sexual exploitation,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “I congratulate all those who worked on this case, including Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Courtney Cremeans, and the rest of the trial team for bringing this sex offender to justice.”

The Honorable United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the trial.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00293.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/upshur-county-man-convicted-sex-offense-against-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 11, 2021

Toledo Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Transportation of a Minor

Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Derrick Murphy, 38, of Toledo, Ohio, with sex trafficking and transportation of a minor.

In April 2021, law enforcement officers received information regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor victim in the Toledo and Detroit areas by an individual later identified as the Defendant. After investigating the information, investigators were able to identify the minor victim and rescue her.

The Defendant was arrested on April 27, 2021.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the Defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the Defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the Defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Toledo Resident Agency. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/toledo-man-charged-sex-trafficking-and-transportation-minor

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1. S.2030 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A bill to declare that any agreement reached by the President relating to the nuclear program of Iran is deemed a treaty that is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI] (Introduced 06/10/2021) Cosponsors: (19)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 06/10/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

1. S.1990 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A bill to establish processes to control inflationary pressures and the Federal debt, during Federal debt emergencies.

Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (Introduced 06/09/2021) Cosponsors: (8)

Committees: Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Latest Action: 06/09/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4019-4020) (All Actions)

1. S.Res.229 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A resolution recognizing the devastating attack on a girls' school in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 8, 2021, and expressing solidarity with the Afghan people.

Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] (Introduced 05/24/2021) Cosponsors: (19)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 06/07/2021 Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3963; text: 5/24/2021 CR S3337) (All Actions)

1. S.Res.258 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the life and work of Senator John W. Warner.

Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] (Introduced 05/28/2021) Cosponsors: (99)

Latest Action: Senate - 05/28/2021 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3931; text: CR S3935) (All Actions)

1. S.Res.252 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A resolution unequivocally condemning the recent rise in antisemitic violence and harassment targeting Jewish Americans, and standing in solidarity with those affected by antisemitism, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] (Introduced 05/27/2021) Cosponsors: (73)

Committees: Senate - Judiciary

Latest Action: Senate - 05/27/2021 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3904-3905) (All Actions)

1. S.1853 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a Motorcyclist Advisory Council.

Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 05/26/2021) Cosponsors: (2)

Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Latest Action: Senate - 05/26/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (All Actions)

1. S.Res.245 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Senator David Henry Gambrell.

Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA] (Introduced 05/26/2021) Cosponsors: (99)

Latest Action: Senate - 05/26/2021 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3496; text: CR S3511) (All Actions)

1. S.Res.237 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A resolution approving of the sales of defense items to Israel notified to Congress on May 5, 2021.

Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (Introduced 05/25/2021) Cosponsors: (7)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 05/25/2021 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3428) (All Actions)

1. S.Amdt.2003 to S.Amdt.1502 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

Purpose: To prohibit the National Institutes of Health and any other Federal agency from funding gain-of-function research conducted in China.

Amends Bill: S.1260

Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] (Submitted 05/25/2021) (Proposed 05/25/2021)

Latest Action: 05/25/21 Amendment SA 2003 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (All Actions)

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1. S.Amdt.1507 to S.Amdt.1502 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

Purpose: To prohibit any Federal funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Amends Bill: S.1260

Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA] (Submitted 05/18/2021) (Proposed 05/25/2021)

Latest Action: 05/25/21 Amendment SA 1507 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (All Actions)

1. S.Res.230 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A resolution congratulating the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools across the United States for making ongoing contributions to education, and supporting the ideals and goals of the 22nd annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 9 through May 15, 2021.

Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC] (Introduced 05/24/2021) Cosponsors: (22)

Latest Action: Senate - 05/24/2021 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3382; text: CR S3337-3338) (All Actions)

1. S.1777 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to codify the Trump administration rule on reporting requirements of exempt organizations, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN] (Introduced 05/20/2021) Cosponsors: (45)

Committees: Senate - Finance

Latest Action: Senate - 05/20/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (All Actions)

1. S.Amdt.1518 to S.Amdt.1502 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

Purpose: To prohibit the cancellation of contracts for physical barriers and other border security measures for which funds already have been obligated and for which penalties will be incurred in the case of such cancellation and prohibiting the use of funds for payment of such penalties.

Amends Bill: S.1260

Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI] (Submitted 05/18/2021) (Proposed 05/20/2021)

Latest Action: 05/20/21 Amendment SA 1518, under the order of 5/19/21, not having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, was not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 48. Record Vote Number: 199. (All Actions)

1. S.Res.226 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States supports Israel, our greatest ally in the region, and its right to defend itself against terrorist attacks.

Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (Introduced 05/19/2021) Cosponsors: (31)

Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

Latest Action: Senate - 05/19/2021 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2785) (All Actions)

1. S.Amdt.1547 to S.Amdt.1502 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

Purpose: To direct unobligated amounts made available under coronavirus relief legislation for purposes of carrying out this Act.

Amends Bill: S.1260

Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (Submitted 05/19/2021) (Proposed 05/19/2021)

Latest Action: 05/19/21 Amendment SA 1547, under the order of 5/19/21, not having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, was not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 50. Record Vote Number: 197. (All Actions)

1. S.Res.215 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

A resolution designating the week of May 9 through May 15, 2021, as "National Police Week".

Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (Introduced 05/13/2021) Cosponsors: (78)

Latest Action: Senate - 05/13/2021 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2531; text: CR S2528-2529) (All Actions)

1. S.1595 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

Thin Blue Line Act

Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Pat [R-PA] (Introduced 05/12/2021) Cosponsors: (17)

Committees: Senate - Judiciary

Latest Action: Senate - 05/12/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)