Former Texas Panhandle resident indicted on sex trafficking and obscenity charges

AMARILLO, Texas — A former Texas Panhandle resident was charged Thursday in a recently unsealed federal indictment with two counts of attempted sex trafficking of a child, and one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a child.

This indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.  The Amarillo Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case.

Xzavion Dayshaun Ragsdale, aka “Yung Billy,” 19, formerly of Amarillo, Texas, and most recently Dallas, made his initial appearance in federal court Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Clinton E. Averitte who ordered Ragsdale to remain in federal custody, pending a detention hearing set for Monday.

Count one of the indictment alleges that on Dec. 31, 2014, Ragsdale attempted to recruit an individual, “J.B.,” knowing that “J.B.” was under 18 years of age and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.

Count two of the indictment alleges that on March 30, 2015, Ragsdale attempted to recruit another individual, “A.M.,” knowing that “A.M.” was under 18 years of age and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.

Count three of the indictment alleges that on March 30, 2015, Ragsdale used a cell phone and the Internet to transfer obscene matter to another individual who was under 16 years of age.

A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted, however, the statutory penalty, per count, for attempted sex trafficking of a child is not less than 10 years or life in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum statutory penalty for attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor is 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto, Northern District of Texas, is in charge of the prosecution.

This investigation was conducted under HSI's Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 12,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI's Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.