ST. PAUL (WCCO) — A Columbia Heights man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office announced.
In April, Samuel Cozart pleaded guilty in Ramsey County District Court to the crime.
Cozart admitted to prostituting the victim at a Days In Hotel in Roseville. Police were called to the hotel last January when the hotel’s manager, who suspected a patron was prostituting an underage girl, called police.
After removing the victim and Cozart from the hotel, police confirmed the victim was prostituted in exchange for money and methamphetamine.
“This case reinforces our determination to treat children who are being prostituted as victims, and aggressively prosecute those engaged in exploitation and sex trafficking,” said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi.
Cozart will also have to register as a lifetime sex offender.
Cozart was already in custody before Wednesday’s sentencing.
