Sasse statement on Quinn trial draws criticism from attorneys

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Sen. Ben Sasse’s decision to issue statements on the case has the potential to taint the trial of an Oxford man currently underway on charges of child sex trafficking, according to defense attorneys.

Monday, Sasse urged the U.S. Department of Justice to assist Nebraska in the prosecution of the sex trafficking case.

“Federal, state, and local law enforcement need to hunt down the lowlifes who rape children and sell young women into sex slavery,” said Senator Sasse. “The Department of Justice should work with Nebraska to prosecute William Quinn and every single one of his accomplices. Government has to fight sex slavery and protect the weak and voiceless.”
In his letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Senator Sasse wrote:
“The federal government has a critical role in fighting interstate human trafficking, especially when it involves a minor. As such, I ask that the Department engage with our state and local law enforcement in Nebraska to offer its full support to ensure that Quinn and his fellow child rapists are all prosecuted to the full extent of the law for these despicable acts. In addition, I ask that you undertake a full review of the authorities available to the Department to investigate, interdict, and prosecute sex trafficking cases and advise me and the other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee as to any additional tools the Department needs to fight this scourge within 30 days.”

The jury trial of Billy Quinn continued Monday, with testimony by Nebraska State Patrol investigator Jeff Van Stelton, natural gas service technician Chad Cunningham, and testimony about 341 pages of texts, video and pictures exchanged between phones owned by Quinn and a girl. Quinn faces 14 charges related to the case, and 12 other men have been charged in connection.

In response to Sasse’s statement, defense attorney Mallory Hughes issued the following statement:

“(It) has the potential to taint the jury and the entire criminal justice process,” Hughes said. “It is disappointing that a Nebraska senator would essentially ignore the separation of powers and a citizen’s right to a fair and impartial jury trial by making inflammatory comments during the pendency of a trial by jury, for what appears to be nothing other than potential political gain.

“The Senator appears to be playing judge, juror and executioner before the actual jurors have even heard all of the evidence and testimony.”

Defense attorney Joe Howard added:

“The decision to file in state court or federal court was made a long time ago. To Monday morning quarterback that decision mid-trial, and to discuss that in the media, is unfair to both the prosecution and the defense. Neither party tries cases in the media, nor should those with political agendas.”