A Tennessee man has been convicted on multiple counts related to sex trafficking in Bowling Green, Kentucky, according to a statement released by the Justice Department. Portier Q. Govan, a 38-year-old from Memphis, faced a federal jury that pronounced him guilty on all charges in a five-count indictment; these charges included sex trafficking and the obstruction of an investigation related to the same. Brittany R. Howard, 25, from Bowling Green, also involved in the case, had pleaded guilty to related offenses prior to Govan's verdict.
The trial, spanning just two days, brought to light the disturbing details of Govan's coercion and intimidation tactics against an 18-year-old victim; he forced her into commercial sex work by extreme means, including threatening her with a gun and physical harm. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the gravity of Govan's actions, saying, "This defendant used extreme threats of violence to compel an 18-year-old victim to engage in commercial sex, even holding a gun to her head to terrify, control and coerce her for his own profit," and continued to detail the defendant's attempts to cover his crimes through witness intimidation. The efforts of the FBI's Bowling Green Resident Agency and the Bowling Green Police Department in the investigation and subsequent trial have been recognized and praised by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for their "outstanding work."
The evidence presented in court recounted how Govan and Howard ensnared their victim; they met her at a gas station, lured her to a hotel room, and then used both false promises and threats to control her. The victim, who was subjected to a harrowing ordeal including a violent demonstration by Govan of his capacity for harm by showing her a video of a beating, was coerced into seeing clients for four days under his command. In attempts to obstruct justice, Govan even passed letters to Howard while in jail, instructing her to lie on his behalf.
With sentencing scheduled for March 25, 2025, for Govan and March 9, 2025, for Howard, the penalties are severe; Govan could face from 15 years to life in prison, including mandatory restitution, "Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Sewell for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Francisco Zornosa of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case." to ensure justice is served. Furthermore, those aware of human trafficking incidents are urged to report to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or visit the Hotline's and the Justice Department's websites to learn more about combating this crime.
