A Jamestown woman is being sent behind bars for her role in having teenagers have sex with others for money.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that 27-year-old Jasmin Osteen, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, was sentenced to serve 12 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Penrose, who handled the case, stated that between August and October 2020, Osteen conspired with others to coerce two 17-year-old minors to engage in commercial sex acts.

Osteen transported the minor victims to a hotel in Buffalo, where they were supplied with alcohol and drugs. Osteen then contacted various clients, who each engaged in commercial sex acts with minor victims.

Osteen utilized Facebook to arrange for the commercial sex acts, and then received a majority of the proceeds.

The investigation into the case began when the mother and grandmother of a minor contacted the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office to express concern that the minor was involved in prostitution and using drugs. The pair also noted that Osteen may have been trafficking the minor for sexual exploitation. The mother and grandmother, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office provided screenshots of messages between Osteen and the victim — who began living with one another in August 2020 — that reportedly discussed having sex for money.

The minor obtained housing and services at the Safe House in Jamestown, at which time she advised staff she had been forced to have sex with multiple unknown adults in exchange for money that was then given to Osteen. Staff then advised the New York State Police.

During an interview at the Jamestown Child Advocacy Program, the victim stated that the city woman reportedly took her to Buffalo and other cities and rented hotel rooms for the purpose of having sex in exchange for money. She also stated that during one of these trips to Buffalo, a second minor victim was also forced to engage in sexual activity.

According to the first victim, Osteen allegedly threatened that she would be harmed if she talked. During an interview with investigators, the second victim also stated that Osteen reportedly drove her and the other victim to a Buffalo hotel, gave them alcohol and forced them to have sex for money.

“This investigation and arrest are a result of interagency cooperation,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone in 2020 after the charges against Osteen were filed. “Human trafficking is all too real and continues to victimize too many people. These investigations will continue with the help of our federal, state and local partners. And we continue to ask for the public to report any suspicious activity as this form of slavery cannot continue.”