Houston Man Sentenced in Shreveport in Human Trafficking Case

A Houston man has been sentenced in Shreveport for bringing a minor from Texas to Louisiana and forcing her to engage in prostitution.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 29-year-old Joshua Baker will serve 10 years in prison, plus five years of supervised release, and has to register as a sex offender for life.

According to court evidence, Baker began communicating with a minor in San Antonio, Texas, in 2012. He then brought her to Shreveport from Texas in May 2013 and forced her into prostitution, and physically abused her if she refused.

"My office is committed to seeking justice for victims of human trafficking," said U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley in a news release. "The defendant preyed on a young victim and exploited her for profit. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to track down and prosecute sex traffickers."