Case of Interest: Zayquan Howard & Shameka Howard

DATE: April 17, 2015

CASE: Zayquan Howard & Shameka Howard

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Sonia Satchell, Human Trafficking Unit

District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced that Zayquan Howard pled no contest to one count of human trafficking and one count of pimping a minor under 16 years old.  Shameka Howard, Zayquan’s mother, pled no contest to one count of pimping.

The 14-year-old female victim met Zayquan in November 2013.  Zayquan forcefully took her for three days, gave her alcohol, beat her and forced her to prostitute.  Zayquan threatened the victim, saying he would shoot up her home if she didn’t do what he told her to do.  The victim had approximately 20 forced dates before her mother found her and took her home.

In March 2014, Zayquan found the victim and, again, kept her for two days.  She was forced to walk Watt Avenue and had approximately eight more forced dates. During this time, Shameka rented motel rooms that Zayquan used and let him use her cell phone.  When Zayquan was arrested, Shameka took his phone and hid it from officers to try to conceal ads he placed on a website used by escorts and sex workers. 

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Zayquan Howard will be sentenced to 20 years in prison and Shameka Howard will be sentenced to 3 years in prison.  Sentencing is set for May 14, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 63 before the Honorable Michael Bowman.

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