Leniency denied for teen defendant in child sex trafficking case - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

A Lubbock woman asks a judge for leniency in the child sex trafficking case against her. The answer on Tuesday was 'denied.' 

Megan Lee Norman was 18 at the time of her arrest in March of last year. Lubbock police arrested her and Chanze Lamount Pringler at a Lubbock hotel. They were accused of advertising the services of an underage prostitute who was 16. 

Norman pleaded guilty in August to one count of Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Child. More recently her attorney asked for "downward departure" from federal sentencing guidelines "based upon the coercion and duress placed upon Ms. Norman by Mr. Pringler."

Court records say, "While Ms. Norman recklessly or negligently placed herself in the world of prostitution and chose her relationship with Chanze Pringler ... there is no doubt she was under an unlawful present, imminent, and impending threat to cause a well-grounded fear of death or serious bodily injury."

Her motion goes on to say, "Mr. Pringler abused, controlled, and manipulated Megan. ... She was hit, choked, and bit."

U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings did not see it that way. His order on Tuesday says, "A review of this case demonstrates that the facts do not support the argument of the Defendant in her motion."

Norman will be sentenced on Friday. According to her plea agreement she faces up to five years in prison. 

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