Lame Deer Woman Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking a Minor

A Lame Deer woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to sex trafficking a minor, following an investigation led by the FBI.

Veronica Clarice Baker, 29, entered the plea this week in U.S. District Court in Billings. She admitted to one count of sex trafficking of a minor, a serious federal charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Baker remains in custody while she awaits sentencing, which will be scheduled at a later date before Judge Susan Watters.

Read More: Billings Doctor Guilty in Prostitution Case Involving Minor

The case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Court documents reveal that Baker connected with Dr. Usman Khan on a website used to arrange commercial sex encounters. Around April 9, 2023, Baker and Khan exchanged messages to coordinate a meeting between Khan and a girl identified as “Jane Doe 1.” Baker had known the minor for some time and was aware she was under the age of 18.

Prosecutors say that while staying in a hotel room in Billings, Baker sent photos of herself and the minor to Khan, discussed rates, and then drove the girl to Khan’s residence. After the encounter, Jane Doe 1 gave a portion of the money she received to Baker.

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The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The program focuses on identifying and prosecuting offenders while working to rescue victims. More information is available at Justice.gov/PSC.