Note: The video above reflects the top news headlines for morning of February 13, 2024
LUBBOCK, Texas — Jaeline Fountaine, also known as “Valentino,” became the last of five people to admit his guilt after sex trafficking a missing Lubbock teenager across West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, according to federal court documents obtained on Tuesday.
EverythingLubbock.com previously reported a teenager went missing on November 28, 2022. She was reported missing on December 13. Court records said it was not immediately reported to authorities because the teen was a “habitual runaway.”
When the teenager left Lubbock, she was sex trafficked by a different group in Odessa and eventually taken to Carlsbad, New Mexico. The initial group, which consisted of Cameron Phifer, 24, Bianka Vega, 22 and Deryan Thomas, 32, left the victim at a Carlsbad motel on January 15. Court records said that’s where Fountaine and Sarah Gonzales “recruited” her into their sex trafficking operation.
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From January 15 to February 21, 2023, court records said more than 80 ads were posted on a website known for sex trafficking. The ads offered sexual services and were posted with an email address associated with Fountaine’s nickname. Some of the photos showed the victim. whose face was blurred, posing in lingerie in different hotel rooms. Authorities were able to trace the email address and see it frequently traveling between Carlsbad and Fountaine’s home in Lubbock.
Towards the end of February, the victim’s mother called a detective and said her daughter was on social media with her location showing in Lubbock. Court records stated authorities went to Fountaine’s residence and found the victim there alone. While authorities were knocking at the door, Fountaine was actively texting the victim telling her how to get away from police.
Authorities were able to get the victim’s cellphone and found dozens of text messages about sex trafficking. A photo on the phone showed the victim with a tattoo of the letter “V” on her chest. Court records said it is common for a sex trafficker to use tattoos to place his “brand” on a victim to “claim ownership.”
On February 28, a juvenile told teachers at school that Fountaine and Gonzales were taking naked photos of women and selling sex online. Child Protective Services interviewed the minor, who said Fountaine brought girls to the house and took them out of town to “make money.” Court records stated the minor saw the ads that were posted, including photos of the girls in lingerie.
“The minor said Fountaine always took girls away for periods of time and returned home with a lot of money,” court records stated. The juvenile also said she saw Fountaine slap the victim on two separate occasions.
On March 5, the victim was located at a motel in Abilene. She was interviewed by authorities and described being manipulated and coerced by Fountaine. The victim said she never got any money, and that she made about $10,000 for Fountaine, court documents said. According to court records, Fountaine knew the victim was underage while sex trafficking her and threatened to hurt her if she left.
Fountaine agreed to plead guilty to Sex Trafficking and Attempted Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud or Coercion. If his plea is accepted, Fountaine will be sentenced at a later date ranging from 15 years to life in prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender.
Gonzales previously agreed to plead guilty to Interstate Transportation to Engage in Prostitution. Phifer, Vega and Thomas also entered plea agreements.
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