A Seattle man who traveled across the Oregon state line to pimp out his girlfriend was sentenced late last month to four years in a federal prison.

Although prostitution is illegal in all 50 states, the man was sentenced in U.S. District Court because he crossed state lines to facilitate the illegal activity.

According to United States criminal code: “Whoever knowingly transports any individual in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.”

The 36-year-old heroin addict was arrested last year after a witness saw him beating his girlfriend in a hotel parking lot near Portland. During the investigation, detectives learned the man had pimped out the woman in Seattle before taking her to Oregon.

Had the man been arrested when he was in Seattle, he could have been charged with promoting prostitution.

A person is guilty of promoting prostitution in the second degree if he or she knowingly:

• Profits from prostitution; or
• Advances prostitution.

Promoting prostitution in the second degree is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, or a fine of up to $10,000 or both.

A person is guilty of promoting prostitution in the first degree if he or she knowingly advances prostitution by:

• Compelling a person by threat or force to engage in prostitution or profits from prostitution which results from such threat or force; or
• Compelling a person with a mental incapacity or developmental disability that renders the person incapable of consent to engage in prostitution or profits from prostitution that results from such compulsion.

Promoting prostitution in the first degree is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, or a $25,000 fine, or both.

Under the Revised Code of Washington State, a person "advances prostitution" if, acting other than as a prostitute or as a customer thereof, he or she causes or aids a person to commit or engage in prostitution, procures or solicits customers for prostitution, provides persons or premises for prostitution purposes, operates or assists in the operation of a house of prostitution or a prostitution enterprise, or engages in any other conduct designed to institute, aid, or facilitate an act or enterprise of prostitution.

A person "profits from prostitution" if, acting other than as a prostitute receiving compensation for personally rendered prostitution services, he or she accepts or receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any person whereby he or she participates or is to participate in the proceeds of prostitution activity.

No matter the crime or the circumstances, every defendant has a right to representation by a qualified attorney. If you have been arrested and face criminal charges, call the Seattle law office of Steve Karimi at (206) 621-8777 or contact him online.