Wilmington man sentenced for trafficking minor through escort service

Wilmington man sentenced to 13.5 years in federal prison for sex trafficking minor

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A federal judge has sentenced a Wilmington man to 13½ years in federal prison for luring a minor into sex trafficking and producing child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, 73-year-old Jesse Lonzo Teal pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Prosecutors said Teal used the internet to recruit women, including a minor, to perform commercial sex acts at his…

Wilmington man sentenced for trafficking minor through escort service

Teal was arrested in 2022 after the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office identified advertisements picturing victims on trafficking websites.