Executive Summary
- Tiwan Bailey sentenced to 25 years and Carrie Roy to 10 years for sex trafficking conspiracy.
- The ring exploited four victims, including a 17-year-old minor, using violence and narcotics for control.
- Bailey was captured by U.S. Marshals in Kentucky after fleeing prosecution in July 2024.
- Federal prosecutors had requested a life sentence due to the severity of the abuse inflicted.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A federal judge has sentenced a Charleston man to 25 years in prison and his co-defendant to 10 years for their roles in a violent sex trafficking conspiracy operating in Kanawha County, federal officials announced.
Tiwan Robert Bailey, 49, also known as “Quick,” received a sentence of 25 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. His co-defendant, Carrie Roy, 52, known as “Carrie Ash,” was sentenced to 10 years in prison, also followed by a five-year term of supervised release. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin following the pair’s conviction by a federal jury on charges related to the exploitation of vulnerable women and a minor.
According to court records and evidence presented at the five-day trial, the conspiracy operated between November 2023 and July 2024. Prosecutors demonstrated that Bailey trafficked four female victims, including a 17-year-old girl. Testimony indicated that Bailey required the victims to engage in commercial sex acts and surrender all earnings to him. The investigation revealed that Bailey utilized repeated acts of violence, including sexual assaults and physical beatings, to maintain control over the victims.
Authorities stated that Bailey reinforced his control through threats delivered in person and via electronic messages. Additionally, evidence showed Bailey supplied drugs to victims struggling with addiction and withheld substances as a form of punishment. Roy was convicted of aiding and abetting Bailey, specifically by transporting three adult victims to commercial sex appointments and collecting proceeds on Bailey’s behalf. Both defendants were found guilty of sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor.
Following the issuance of an arrest warrant in July 2024, Bailey became a fugitive. He was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 17, 2025. U.S. Attorney Moore Capito stated that his office had advocated for a life sentence, citing the “egregious” nature of the crimes and the “sustained campaign of terror” inflicted upon the victims. The investigation involved a multi-agency effort including Homeland Security Investigations, the Charleston Police Department, and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
Judicial Sentencing Standards
The sentencing in this case highlights the rigorous application of federal guidelines regarding human trafficking and the exploitation of minors. While federal prosecutors sought the maximum penalty of life imprisonment to reflect the severity of the psychological and physical abuse described in court, the judicial determination of 25 years underscores the discretionary weight judges hold in balancing guidelines against specific case factors. This outcome also draws attention to the collaborative reach of federal law enforcement, particularly the U.S. Marshals Service, in securing fugitives across state lines to ensure judicial accountability.
