CINCINNATI — A federal grand jury has charged a Cincinnati man with sex trafficking of minors, production of child pornography and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in prostitution, according to documents unsealed Wednesday.
An indictment alleges that Malik Bell, 23, was involved in the sex trafficking of a 15-year-old girl, advertised her as a prostitute and drove her from Kentucky to Ohio with the intent of compelling her to engage in prostitution.
The indictment, which was returned March 13, states that these crimes took place around April 13, 2015; it was unsealed Wednesday afternoon when Bell made his first appearance in court.
If convicted of sex trafficking of a minor, Bell could face anywhere from 10 years to life in prison, according to a news release from the office of Southern Ohio’s Acting United States Attorney Benjamin Glassman.
Bell's detention hearing will take place July 1 before Magistrate Judge Karen L. Litkovitz.
