The founder of a Texas aquaculture company was convicted earlier this week on sex trafficking charges involving a minor in a federal court in Texas.
A jury found David Keith Wills guilty on 17 of 18 counts. While he was out on bond during the trial, Wills was remanded into custody after the jury’s decision. His sentencing remains to be scheduled, but the 67-year-old faces up to life in prison.
Wills was the co-founder and part owner of Global Blue Technologies, a company that runs a shrimp hatchery in Rockport, Texas, and sells broodstock.
Testimony in the 10-day trial centered on Wills arrangements with Maria Losoya that started in 2012, when the victim was 10 years old. Wills and Losoya used cell phones to coordinate meetings at a variety of locations where he would abuse the girl. The incidents took place at Wills’ houses, Losoya’s house in Brownsville and several hotels around Corpus Christi.
Wills promised to pay for the victim’s college tuition if he was allowed to continue assaulting her.
“Wills also reimbursed Losoya for gifts to the victim and expenditures she would otherwise not have been able to afford,” a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office read. “These included an iPad, Bose headphones, a flatscreen TV, Apple laptop, trampoline, swimming pool, and a school trip to Washington D.C.”
Losoya pleaded guilty two years ago and testified against Wills.
The abuse continued until the victim first reported it in April 2015.
During the trial, a former assistant to Wills testified that he asked her to give him a personal computer on the day the victim came forward. He admitted he did that to destroy it and keep authorities from seizing it.
The jury convicted Wills on one count of conspiracy to commit child sex trafficking, seven counts of sex trafficking, seven counts of coercing and enticing a minor, one count of attempted coercion and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
