December 20, 2024

DOJ: Memphis man convicted of forcing 18-year-old into sex trafficking

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WMC) – A federal jury found a Memphis man guilty of multiple counts of sex trafficking after a two-day trial, according to U.S. Department of Justice officials.

Portier Q. Govan, 38, is convicted of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, obstruction or interference with a sex trafficking process or investigation, interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution and being a felon in possession of a firearm .

The five charges were part of a federal indictment filed in March 2023.

Govan’s accomplice, Brittany R. Howard, 25, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, pleaded guilty Oct. 30 to interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution and obstruction or interference with a sex trafficking proceeding or investigation.

Justice officials say the couple forced an 18-year-old girl into prostitution under the false promise of “making a lot of money.”

Over the next four days, Govan forced the victim to engage in sexual acts under threat of taking his life, even shooting him on one occasion. Authorities say Howard was an accomplice all along.

“This defendant took advantage of a vulnerable young woman, threatening her with physical violence and even death if she did not comply with his demands,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigation Division. “The woman was forced to engage in commercial sex while the accused benefited from her suffering. Tragically, this is a reality that plays out all too often in our communities. “The FBI is fully committed to using all resources at our disposal to identify perpetrators, hold them accountable, and put an end to the devastating crime of sex trafficking.”

Govan’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 25, 2025, and Howard will face a sentencing hearing on March 9, 2025.

Govan faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, as well as mandatory restitution.

Anyone with information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-373-7888.

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