Desmond Manago (Department of Corrections photo)
A Seattle-area pimp and longtime gang member was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for sex trafficking of a child, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Desmond Manago, 26, pleaded guilty in September to forcing a girl into prostitution in Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado and California.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Manago advertised the victim on Backpage.com and forced her to give him all the money she earned. In November 2012, Manago and a relative drove the victim and a woman to the other states to work as prostitutes, again placing advertisements in Backpage.com.
In 2009, Manago was prosecuted as part of a state and federal investigation into the West Side Street Mobb. The gang was involved in prostitution and bank fraud, authorities said.
In August 2009, Manago denied being a gang member but pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution.
“All of my money comes from pimping, selling drugs or hustling,” Manago said in King County Superior Court documents filed in connection with the 2009 case.
Manago was released from state prison in December 2010. Since then he’s been arrested several times, authorities said. Manago was arrested on Oct. 3, 2013, in connection with outstanding warrants, and was turned over to federal authorities.