Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction by jury trial of 26-year old Zaccheus Obie of Atlanta. Obie was convicted this afternoon of one count of felony pimping for prostituting his 16-year-old cousin.
The victim was picked up by police in May of 2008 on Metropolitan Parkway, an area known for prostitution. According to testimony, Obie sent the victim out on three separate occasions to solicit "dates". In preparation, he bought clothes for the young girl, paid to have her hair done and later pocketed all of the money she received. Obie was arrested in January for this case but investigators believe he has been operating as a pimp for at least four years. One of his previous girlfriends testified at trial that she prostituted for Obie as well. Jurors deliberated for 3 ½ hours over two days before returning with a verdict of guilty. Obie, who has other pending charges, will be sentenced at a later date. He is subject to a minimum five year sentence.
Obie's conviction comes in the wake of recent public discussions before the State Legislature regarding the decriminalization of prostitution-- as concerned clergy and citizen groups urge lawmakers to recognize the young girls as victims rather than criminals.
Senior Fulton County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Manis presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Senior Assistant ADA Kate Thornton with assistance from ADA Lee Young Williams and DA Investigator Crispin Henry. APD Officer J. Hoos led the initial investigation.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Man convicted for pimping teenage cousin
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