Las Vegas NowNew Law Expands Crackdown on Child Prostitutes

New Law Expands Crackdown on Child Prostitutes

Governor Jim Gibbons signed into law a bill strengthening the ability of law enforcement going after pimps of child prostitutes.

The new law will allow a District Attorney to seize any and all assets from the convicted pimp. That money will be used by the district attorney to fight crime and help the children.

Authorities hope the new bill will cut down on the number of child prostitutes recruited by pimps in Las Vegas. Metro Police say roughly 400 children are picked off the streets from prostitution each year. Former prostitutes say the number of children is much higher and pimps much are more devious.

"The pimps we are talking about here are not your street, big hat wearing, walking around with a loud suit on. The pimps that we are talking about here wear business suits like you have on," said former prostitute Myranda Gray.

Gray says the new law seizing a pimp's assets will be a step in the right direction. She also believes child prostitutes need to be treated as a victim, and not criminals.

Gray came to Las Vegas at 23-years-old, got sucked into the partying lifestyle, and then wound up selling her body to support a drug habit and other addictions.

She was never a child prostitute like 18-year-old Dettrea King. She was addicted to drugs, sexually abused, and sold her body for money all before her 13th birthday. She was recently released from prison. "Thank God I went to jail. I am grateful for that. I went to jail as mad as I was at the judge, Judge Voy, at everybody who had any part in it. I was really upset. In the long run it helped me. Now I am a better person," she said.

In jail, she met a non-profit church group that is helping her change her life. She hopes to one day help show other children there is another way. King also thinks the new law will help, but believes more needs to be done to help the children. She plans to continue to raise awareness and go with her church to show others they can escape.