Press Release
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
November 7, 2017
Seattle area man convicted of 17 federal felonies for luring
women and teens into prostitution
CONTACT
Andrea
Wolf-Buck, Public Engagement Coordinator, Redmond Police Department
awolf-buck@redmond.gov - 425-556-2545
WASHINGTON – After a three year investigation that originated
in Redmond, a 51-year-old man was convicted of multiple sex crimes against
adults and juveniles in the U.S. District Court in Seattle on Monday.
David D. Delay was
charged with 17 counts that included production of child pornography, obstruction, sex
trafficking of a minor, and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
“This
investigation could not have been successful without the victims participation;
reliving and retelling their stories and cooperating with Redmond Police, the FBI
and the District Attorney,” said Redmond Detective Sergeant AnnMarie Fein. “Their
cooperation was instrumental in getting this dangerous predator convicted.”
The case began in November of 2014, when a Redmond police
officer interviewed one of Delay’s victims, an 18-year-old Redmond woman, who
had initially reported cyberbullying and threats from both Delay and his friend, Marysa Comer.
The victim had come to Redmond police because Delay and his accomplice
had hacked into her personal online accounts and had been posting explicit
photos of her on her Facebook page. Delay had coerced the victim into prostituting
to make money for a film he claimed to be making. The victim was told she would get millions of dollars and the chance to be famous if she complied. After the
victim decided she no longer wanted to be a part of Delay’s scheme and tried to
leave his Lynnwood residence, the online harassment and threats began.
Redmond detectives discovered the victim was just one of many vulnerable women and teens who had been coerced into prostitution by Delay
with promises of fame and fortune.
As investigators unraveled the extent of Delay’s
criminal activity they discovered that he had been trafficking women and minors
across state lines and the FBI began investigating federal felony offenses.
Delay had also enticed victims to be in pornographic videos
and photos. He told them if they did not comply with his demands he would
publish the graphic images online. Seven of these victims bravely took the
stand during the ten-day trial and testified against Delay.
Delay is facing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment at
his sentencing scheduled for Feb. 2, 2018. His co-defendant, 22-year-old Marysa Comer, of
Matthews, North Carolina, also faces up to life in prison. She pleaded guilty
to one count of sex trafficking on Nov. 16, 2015 and is scheduled to be sentenced
on Dec. 1, 2017.
For information and details regarding the federal case and subsequent
charges please see the U.S. Department of Justice release.
For questions for Redmond Police Department please contact
Andrea Wolf-Buck at awolf-buck@redmond.gov or 425-556-2545.
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