Tulsa Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Federal Prison For Sex Trafficking

Tulsa Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Federal Prison For Sex Trafficking

Tuesday, July 7th 2020, 9:04 pm



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A Tulsa man will spend the next 20 years in federal prison.

The U.S. Attorney's office said Ramar Palms forced a victim into prostitution, often using force to make her stay, then kept all the money she made. 

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores described Ramar Palms as both a "gorilla" and "finesse" pimp, meaning he used force and finesse to traffic his victims.

Shores said Palms trafficked the victim in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Houston, and forced her to advertise online and book hotel rooms.

In 2018, prosecutors said an undercover Tulsa police officer answered an "$100 Quick Visit" advertisement, meaning a short prostitution visit, where he met the victim. Shores said the victim told the officer she did not want to be a prostitute.

"He was a violent man. He strangled, hit, beat, held a knife to this woman's throat to get what he wanted, and that was to make money for him in the sex industry," Shores said.

A jury found Palms guilty of sex trafficking and Tuesday, he was sentenced to about 20 years in federal prison. The court also awarded the victim almost $35,000 in restitution for the money Palms never paid her.

"That level of exploitation is just evil," Shores said.

Sara Gadd is the Co-chair of the Oklahoma Coalition against Human Trafficking. She said pimps often prey on vulnerable people or teens and then use drugs or force to keep them in the sex industry.

"We are incredibly proud of that victim who is now a survivor to come forward and being brave," Gadd said.

Palms will have to register as a sex offender once he's released from prison.

If you need help the National Human trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888.

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