The criminal complaint is tough to read, with accusations of an older man having sex with a teen who he allegedly coerced into working for him, but unfortunately, the basic story is too common. However, in this case, the 52-year-old man facing charges is a federal prison employee.
Charles Carstersen is a longtime employee of the federal prison system, and now faces charges of "sex trafficking of children". According to the complaint, Carstersen met the girl, now 16, a year ago along Stockton Boulevard at a motel when he answered an ad for sex.
Investigators claim their relationship changed when Carstersen allegedly gave the girl a cell phone, and News10 found that number linked to other escort ads. The criminal complaint alleges Carstersen encouraged the girl to have paid sex with other men, while offering support to her.
"I can take care of all those stupid little things for you so you can focus just on work. I mean that's my job it's a team effort. U know?" a text message read, according to the complaint.
Carstersen is a network administrator at the US Penitentiary in Merced County.
"This plays out like many of these trafficking cases with a pimp who is filling the victim's mind with feelings of love and claiming to be their daddy or a love interest figure who really cares about them, when in reality they're just looking for a way to make money," Beth Hassett, Executive Director of WEAVE said.
The girl was arrested for prostitution in Roseville two months ago, which reportedly tipped off investigators to Carstersen's involvement. Investigators say they were following him last month when he met another prostitute.
Hassett said she is certain there are more victims out there. "This isn't the behavior of somebody just meeting a girl and thinking he's in a relationship with her. He is behaving like a pimp. Everything he was doing is classic pimp behavior, classic grooming of a victim behavior," she said.
Carstersen had an initial appearance in court Monday. The judge noted during the proceeding that if he is convicted, Carstersen will serve time under the care of his current employer.
