Man sentenced to 174 years in prison for prostituting a runaway teen
Leroy Ellis Jr., 32, was sentenced to 174 years in prison for forcing a runaway teen into prostitution, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said on May 29.
The teen was commended by county attorney Rachel Mitchell for testifying in the suspect's trial by jury.
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - A 32-year-old man was sentenced to nearly two centuries in prison for forcing a runaway teen to work as a prostitute, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said.
What we know
Leroy Ellis Jr. was sentenced to 174 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of child sex trafficking and committing a dangerous crime against children.
"In 2022, the victim – who was 15 at the time - traveled from California to Arizona after meeting Ellis on Facebook. After she arrived in Phoenix, Ellis groomed her to start working for him as a prostitute right after her 16th birthday," the county attorney's office said on May 29. "The victim testified that over the next several months she gave everything she earned from sex to the defendant. On at least two occasions, she had sex so Ellis would have money to pay for his son's birthday party and buy presents."
MCAO says texts between the victim and Ellis show that he would approve her "dates" and the prices. The office also says she was "branded" with tattoos of Ellis' name and nickname in large letters.
Those tattoos were seen in photos he'd post online for "sex advertisements."
"This woman showed incredible bravery by testifying about how she was manipulated and victimized by the defendant," said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. "Thank you to the Phoenix Police detectives who rescued her from a life of prostitution, and to the prosecution team in my office for finding justice for this woman who has been so horribly abused."
What you can do
Click here to learn more about resources in Arizona for trafficking victims.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
4 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
A cop or a criminal? Police stop motorcyclist with uniform, badge and gun and learn he's a convicted felon
At first glance, police say, his uniform and his motorcycle had all the trappings of local law enforcement. The motorcycle had emergency lights and 'Traffic' and 'Public Safety' emblazoned on the side, pictures show. His uniform allegedly included a tactical vest, pepper spray, a badge and a gun. But in reality, Hemet police say, the man was a convicted felon impersonating local law enforcement. According to a Facebook post on Tuesday, Hemet police said they pulled over a motorcyclist who turned out to be a convicted felon allegedly impersonating a police officer. He also appeared to have a Glock-style handgun on his duty belt. The man, identified as Marshal Goodnight, 73, was armed with two stun guns, an expandable baton, handcuffs and pepper spray, the department said. Goodnight was wearing a tactical vest, olive slacks and a beige shirt, complete with a badge and what appeared to be a body camera and radio equipment. Police say they pulled over Goodnight on Monday after they saw him commit multiple vehicle code violations and activate emergency lights on his motorcycle. Goodnight was detained and Hemet police determined that his stun guns were in working condition. Goodnight is a convicted felon who is not legally allowed to possess firearms or related weapons, according to police. He's also not licensed to provide security in the state of California. Police arrested and booked Goodnight on several misdemeanor counts: suspicion of being a felon in possession of a stun gun; possession of a baton; being a felon in possession of a tear gas weapon; and for impersonating a peace officer. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Hemet Police Department at (951) 765-2400, Ext. 3725.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Christian Singer Faces Anger Over MAGA Ties Ahead of Canada Concert
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Christian singer Sean Feucht is facing anger ahead of a concert in Canada, with its venue having been changed after people threatened to protest the original Parks Canada venue. Newsweek has reached out to Feucht via email for comment. Why It Matters Feucht is an Pro-Trump American Christian singer-songwriter and founder of the Let Us Worship movement. He unsuccessfully ran as a Republican candidate in California's 3rd congressional district in 2020. Born in Montana, he founded Hold The Line, which is described on Feucht's website as "A movement seeking to engage the church and young people to inform, educate, and inspire the next generation of leaders to stand for what is right in the governmental arena." Left, Israel supporters, including Christian evangelical Sean Feucht, holding guitar, participate in the United for Israel march outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 25, 2024 . Right, an LGBTQ+ flag is... Left, Israel supporters, including Christian evangelical Sean Feucht, holding guitar, participate in the United for Israel march outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 25, 2024 . Right, an LGBTQ+ flag is seen at the Madrid Pride Parade in Madrid, Spain, on July 5, 2025. More/David Benito/WireImage What To Know Feucht's concert was originally slated to take place at the York Redoubt National Historic Site near Halifax, but a permit was ultimately revoked because of safety concerns, following planned protests. In an email sent to Newsweek, the Parks Canada Media Relations Team shared a statement that read in part: "Parks Canada is aware that members of the public have expressed concern about an event scheduled to take place at York Redoubt National Historic Site on July 23, 2025." The statement detailed that this event was not a Parks Canada event but was instead to have been hosted by a permit holder. "After careful review, and due to heightened public safety concerns, Parks Canada has notified the organizer that the permit has been revoked," the statement read. A public event page on Facebook was titled "Protest MAGA dude in Halifaz at York Dedoubt Nat'l Park." The description for this event has been updated to read "THE PERMIT FOR THIS GROSS PERSON HAS BEEN REVOKED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS." It also read in part that "He [Feucht] spreads intolerance and hate under the name of religion." A post about the concert was also shared on the public Facebook group Gay Nova Scotia (2SLGBTQIA+). It read in part that the person posting wanted to make the community aware of the concert, which it described as "concerning," and said that individuals could email Parks Canada to try to stop it from happening. Following confirmation that the permit for the event at the park had been revoked, a post was updated to read "WE WON WE WON WE WON!!!!!!!! LOVE WINS." Local residents described the concert as "upsetting" and "inappropriate" while speaking to the outlet, CBC. Feucht has previously been criticized over remarks he has made about the LGBTQ+ community and for his pro-life stance. The In the News section on his website lists appearances on NewsMax, Breitbart and Steve Bannon's War Room Podcast. Feucht first rose to prominence with his Let Us Worship tour in the latter half of 2020, which protested COVID-19 lockdowns. In April of 2022, he helped to lead a protest against The Walt Disney Company for their opposition to anti-LGBTQ legislation and in early 2023, he announced a "Kingdom to the Capitol" tour. This was co-sponsored by Turning Point USA, the nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics at high schools and university campuses. What People Are Saying Sean Feucht wrote in a post shared to X: "We will all get to witness if free speech and freedom of religion still exist in Canada." The Parks Canada Media Relations team said in a statement shared with Newsweek: "Due to evolving safety and security considerations based on confirmation of planned protests, input from law enforcement, and the security challenges with the configuration of York Redoubt, Parks Canada has reassessed the conditions of the permit and potential impacts to community members, visitors, concert attendees and event organizers. After careful review, and due to heightened public safety concerns, Parks Canada has notified the organizer that the permit has been revoked." What's Next CBC reported that Feucht's free concert will now be staged in a rural area about 60 kilometres north of Halifax.
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
New Facebook scam starts with messages from a friend
Ever get a Facebook message from an old friend, only to find out it wasn't really that friend? That's exactly how a recent Facebook impersonation scam almost cost someone $2,500. A scammer hijacked a woman's account and used it to promote a fake $150,000 grant to her friends. One man came dangerously close to falling for it. We'll break down how the scam unfolded and, more importantly, how you can protect yourself from this growing threat. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my Jim, a retired tech industry veteran, received a message on Facebook from his longtime friend, Lynda. The message started casually, "How are you doing today, Jim?" But it quickly shifted into a suspicious sales pitch for a government-backed grant. Lynda claimed she had received $150,000 from an organization called "Global Empowerment" and encouraged Jim to apply through an agent named David Kelvin. Although Jim was intrigued, he remained cautious. As their conversation progressed, he sensed something was off. The agent, "David Kelvin," messaged Jim with vague promises of funding and quick delivery. He claimed there were no qualifications, and all Jim had to do was send his full name, address and $2,500 for "approval and shipping." The scammers even sent a photo of a FedEx box supposedly filled with cash. Jim questioned how someone could walk into a bank and deposit $150,000 in cash without issue. "You don't just do that," he noted. Despite his growing suspicion, Jim continued the conversation to better understand the scam tactics. Below is a cleaned-up excerpt from the real Facebook conversation Jim had with the impersonator. This transcript not only shows how these scams work, but also highlights how subtle the manipulation can be. Lynda: How are you doing today, Jim?Jim: I'm well. How are you and Ken?Lynda: Good! I hope you've heard my good news?Jim: No... Are you pregnant? What's the news?Lynda: It's about Global Empowerment. They're giving out $150,000 in support funds. I received mine already. Are you aware of the program?Jim: No, but I'd like to be. Can you send the info? Milena and I will be in the U.S. soon, and we're interested in Yes, you can. Here's the agent's email: [email]. And this is his Facebook profile: [link].Jim: Great, I'll message him. Should I use your name?Lynda: Yes. Use Facebook Messenger—it's faster. Just say a friend told you about the funds. Jim (to David): Hi David, my wife and I heard about your project through a friend. She said it's for caregivers. I'm interested. Looking forward to hearing from you. Later, Jim forwarded a message he received from "David" back to "Lynda."Jim: Is this taxable, by the way?Jim (forwarding message from David): "YOU ARE HIGHLY WELCOME TO THE GLOBAL EMPOWERMENT FUNDS APPLICATION BOARD PROGRAM. GIVE ME YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS."Jim (to Lynda): I sent him my info. Still waiting to hear more. Jim then received another reply from "David."Jim (forwarding): "Congratulations! You qualify for the funds."Lynda: That's amazing! Tell him you're ready. I hope it's a joint What's next?Lynda: Just follow his Did you give him any banking info?Lynda: No, they didn't ask for that. Jim (forwarding): "PLEASE HOLD ON WHILE WE PROCESS YOUR INFORMATION."Lynda: I'm so happy for you, Jim!Jim: How long did it take for you to get the money?Lynda: Just a day after approval. It came in a box via How much did you pay?Lynda: $2,500 for approval and shipping. I deposited the money into my account right Are you sure this is legit?Lynda: 100% real. Trust me. I'll show you my bank statement. At this point, Jim began noticing red flags in the scammers' "Informations"? [That's not a real word. This raised a red flag.]Lynda: Don't worry. It's not a scam. I promise. Recognizing Facebook impersonation scam red flags is crucial for protecting yourself online. Jim noticed several warning signs that exposed the scam: When Jim delayed by saying he would finish the process after traveling, the scammers began deleting their messages. This suspicious behavior confirmed his doubts about the Facebook impersonation scam. This Facebook impersonation scam follows a pattern: 1. Hijack a trusted friend's account: Scammers gain access to a real Facebook account, often through phishing or weak passwords, so their messages appear to come from someone you know and trust. 2. Build rapport by mimicking a casual conversation: The scammer starts with a friendly, familiar greeting-like "How are you doing today?" to lower your guard and make the interaction feel genuine. 3. Pitch a fake financial windfall (in this case, a $150K grant): Once trust is established, the imposter introduces an enticing offer, such as a government-backed grant or prize, claiming they have already received the money themselves. 4. Request a large upfront fee for "processing" or "delivery": To move forward, the scammer asks for personal details and a significant payment — $2,500 in Jim's case — framed as a necessary step for approval or shipping. 5. Use fake photos, urgency and emotional pressure to convince the victim: They may send doctored images (like a FedEx box of cash) and apply pressure with urgent language or emotional appeals, insisting the opportunity is real and time-sensitive. While Jim recognized the scam in time, he worried that others, especially older adults, might fall for it. "The safe days on the internet are over," he said. "It's a jungle out there, and most folks are not equipped to play safety on that playground." Facebook impersonation scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but following a few essential steps can help you safeguard your identity and keep your personal information secure. Call or text them directly if something feels off, even if the message seems casual or harmless. Weak or reused passwords make it easier for scammers to break into your accounts, especially if your login credentials have been exposed in a past data breach. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 at Bad grammar, vague responses, pressure tactics and unrealistic promises are common in impersonation scams. If something feels off, it probably is. Protect your devices from malware and phishing links that steal login credentials. The best way to safeguard yourself is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Once your personal data is compromised, scammers can open accounts, reroute your mail or impersonate you online. Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at No legitimate grant or prize requires upfront payment. That's always a scam. If you've been targeted or suspect a friend's account has been hacked, take action right away. Report fake or compromised Facebook accounts to Meta and also report fraud and scams to the FTC. Scammers often gather personal information from people search and data broker websites to make their Facebook impersonation attempts more convincing and to target victims more effectively. These sites can expose your name, address, phone number and even relatives, giving criminals the details they need to impersonate you or your friends online, as seen in the Facebook impersonation scam described in this article. By actively removing your information from these sites, you make it much harder for scammers to find and use your data against you. This process usually involves searching for your exposed profiles, submitting opt-out requests to each site and monitoring for republished information. While no service can guarantee complete removal, using a reputable data removal service or following step-by-step opt-out guides significantly lowers your risk of being targeted in scams like the one detailed above. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Even the most experienced internet users can be fooled when a scam comes from a trusted face. Today, Facebook impersonation scams are more sophisticated and emotional than ever before. Take a moment to verify. Never send money to strangers online. And, remember, your friend may not be who he said he is. Have you or someone you know been targeted by a Facebook impersonation scam? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
