Oscar Carter III

CRANBERRY TWP — State charges have been withdrawn against two people accused of running a prostitution ring out of a township hotel.

The charges against Oscar Carter III, 34, and Shelby S. Brown, 27, both of Tulsa, Okla., were withdrawn last week.

Those charges included trafficking in minors, promoting prostitution of a minor, conspiracy to promote prostitution from a home or business, possession unlawful device making equipment, possession of a counterfeit access device and possession of marijuana.

According to Chuck Mascellino, township police sergeant, the move happened due to the case now being handled at the federal level.

Carter and Brown last month were indicted on charges of interstate transportation of a minor for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual activity, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking of a child.

Carter and Brown were initially arrested and charged by Cranberry Township police as part of a prostitution sting that began in Allegheny County, after allegations that they brought a 17-year-old girl from Akron, Ohio, to Butler County for the purpose of prostitution between March 6 and 14.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Carter and Brown face a maximum total sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $750,000 and a term of supervised release ranging from 5 years to life.

Included in the indictment is a forfeiture request for two laptops, two cell phones and more than $1,700 in cash.