SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. Attorney’s office says two men who used Backpage.com to advertise sex with women have been sentenced to federal prison on sex trafficking convictions.

Prosecutors said Friday the men in the two different investigations used Backpage.com to advertise sex with young women they controlled, transporting them to “dates,” taking their earnings and through verbal or physical violence forcing them to continue in the sex trades.

Sentenced were 25-year-old Terrence Williams of Bremerton and 30-year-old Charles Deville Nash of Seattle. Williams was sentenced to nine years while Nash got 15 years.

Prosecutors say Nash had five different women working for him, while Williams attempted to control three young women. Restitution payments to the victims are being sought.

The online classified advertising site Backpage.com has been under scrutinized by local and federal authorities for being a place used by sex traffickers.

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