Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that Lawrence J. Taylor (DOB 02/04/59) of 532 Enclave Circle East, Pembroke Pines, Florida has pled guilty to:

• One count of Sexual Misconduct, a class “A” Misdemeanor

• One count of Patronizing a Prostitute in the Third Degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor

for improper sexual conduct involving an underage girl in a Rockland County hotel.

In the early morning hours of May 6, 2010, Taylor engaged in sexual intercourse and oral sexual contact with a 16-year-old female at the Holiday Inn hotel, located in the Village of Montebello within the Town of Ramapo.

Taylor paid the teen $300 after performing the sexual acts. The victim later told investigators that she had been verbally threatened, physically assaulted and brought to the hotel room by another individual, who was arrested by the New York City Police Department and is currently facing federal charges. District Attorney Zugibe said, “Behind the celebrity, this case is really about the indifference shown by this defendant toward a troubled, young woman forced into a life of prostitution.”

Taylor is expected to be sentenced on March 22, 2011 to six years probation with sex offender conditions. He will be leveled as a sex offender at a subsequent hearing in accordance with Megan’s Law. The defendant will additionally be required to pay a fine in the amount of $2,000.

District Attorney Zugibe added, “The fact that this defendant faces six years of probation with a requirement to register as a sex offender in two states will undoubtedly serve as a deterrent to ‘johns’ who support the demand of teenagers for their own sexual gratification.”

In this case, it is alleged that the victim was forced to perform numerous sexual acts for money and to turn over the cash proceeds to her alleged pimp, Rasheed Davis. Said Zugibe, “Sex trafficking is often viewed as an unsavory industry in far-away countries, with children forced into lives of degradation. In fact, this criminal activity continues to metastasize in our own communities, fueling large-scale corruption and gang activity, while preying on and exploiting teens and children.”

Zugibe noted that Taylor has cooperated with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attorney in their ongoing probe into sex trafficking in the New York area, in connection with the Rasheed Davis case.

“We made a decision to aggressively prosecute this case, notwithstanding a defendant in the public eye. Today’s agreed-upon plea reflects that. It is up to law enforcement and prosecutors to fight the demand that drives the underage sex business. Prostitution implies the young women as being complicit. But, these young women, and sometimes young men, are victims, not criminals.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, an estimated 80 to 95 percent of children selling sex have a history of sexual abuse, including the victim in this case.

Ramapo Police Chief Peter Brower said, “The commitment and partnership of this department and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office were crucial to a successful outcome. This department believes that the resolution reached in this case is fair and appropriate.”

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