BOCES aide charged with sex trafficking

Posted at: 08/06/2012 4:50 PM | Updated at: 08/07/2012 2:15 PM
By: Lynette Adams | WHEC.com

FBI agents and local police have arrested an Irondequoit man accused of prostituting a 15-year-old girl.

Marques Williams, 26, is charged with sex trafficking of a minor.

U.S. Attorney Bill Hochul says the FBI received a tip about Williams when an ad appeared on the internet, offering the 15-year-old for sex.

Hochul says the girl told the FBI she worked as a prostitute for Williams from July until September of 2011. Hochul says the girl also calims Williams taught her how to engage in prostituion, set prices for her and paid for motel rooms. Hochul says the teen told the FBI Williams took pictures of her for the internet ads.

News10NBC has learned Williams in a one-on-one aide for Monroe-1 BOCES.

Williams faces 10 years to life in prison if convicted.

This case was identified through Project Safe Childhood, which is a nationwide initiative to locate, apprehend and prosecute people who use the internet to exploit children and to rescue victims.

A neighbor says she saw police take Williams into custody at his home in Irondequoit this morning.

The executive director at the local branch of the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children says there is deep concern that children and being sold through online websites in increasing numbers. Ed Suk is calling on these internet sites to work with police to put a stop to it.

Monroe #1 BOCES issued a statement Tuesday saying, “Mr. Marques Williams, a one-to-one teaching aide employed at Monroe #1 BOCES since November 1, 2011, and who was arrested yesterday on alleged Federal charges of underage sex trafficking, has been suspended, effective immediately without pay, until further notice. Furthermore, we have been informed by authorities that, at this time, there is no information to indicate that these allegations involve any Monroe #1 BOCES students.”

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