Federal Case: Taylor's “Pimp” Charged with Sex Trafficking

Alleged victim told LT she was 19: Cops

The man who authorities say set up football star Lawrence Taylor with a 16-year-old runaway has been charged with sex trafficking of a child.

Rasheed Davis was charged in a criminal complaint filed Friday in federal court in Manhattan.

The complaint referred to the 51-year-old Taylor only as "Client-1." It said he told Town of Ramapo police officers that he engaged in sex acts with a woman in a hotel room before paying her $300 in cash on Wednesday. It said "Client-1" told them he took a car service from Newark, N.J., to the hotel.

Davis allegedly also plied the young girl with ecstasy and marijuana, and caused her to engaged in "commercial sex acts," ranging in price from $80 to $300. He even took pictures of her on his cell phone and send them to potential clients.

The 16-year-old girl reportedly told cops that Davis instructed her to tell Taylor that she was 19-year-old, according to the complaint.

Taylor was charged Thursday with third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, denied the charges again Friday on NBC's "Today" show.

Meanwhile, the weight-loss company NutriSystem Inc. says it has dropped LT as a spokesman because of the charges.

Company spokeswoman Susan McGowan said Friday that the company was shocked at the allegation that Taylor had sex with a 16-year-old runaway and decided to sever the relationship.

McGowan, speaking from company headquarters in Horsham, Pa., said Taylor had been a spokesman for NutriSystem advertising and public relations since April 2009 and had lost 35 pounds to 250. She said he had been used heavily on national TV.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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