Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
A Tampa man was sentenced Friday to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for the sex trafficking of a minor in Hillsborough County. U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington handed down the sentence to Jessie Thomas Taylor, 43, who had pleaded guilty to the charges on June 6, 2025.
Details of the Offense
Court documents reveal that Taylor engaged in the sex trafficking of a 16-year-old victim over an extended period. The illicit activity began in April 2021 and continued through December 2022.
During this time, Taylor was responsible for creating and posting advertisements of the minor on various adult escort websites. These advertisements promoted commercial sexual acts involving the victim.
Taylor also managed communications with prospective clients and made reservations for hotel rooms where the minor would engage in commercial sexual activity. He subsequently received the financial proceeds generated from these acts.
Investigation and Prosecution
The successful prosecution of this case was the result of a collaborative investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) worked alongside the Tampa Police Department to gather evidence and build the case against Taylor.
Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry was responsible for prosecuting the case. Her efforts led to Taylor’s guilty plea and subsequent federal prison sentence.
The sentencing underscores the ongoing commitment by federal authorities to combat sex trafficking, particularly when it involves minors, and to hold perpetrators accountable for these serious crimes.
