Accused Sex Trafficker Fired At Federal Agents In Ohio, DOJ Says

CLEVELAND — A Cleveland man has been accused of human trafficking of a minor and shooting at federal agents, the Department of Justice announced. Prosecutors said the man forced a minor to prostitute herself and when Homeland Security came to search the man's house he fired six shots at agents.

Homeland Security tried to search the Dove Avenue home of Reuben Rankin, 34, on Oct. 30, 2019. When agents arrived with a search warrant, Rankin was in his car. He opened fire, shooting six times. One agent returned fire and then retreated to safety. The agent ordered Rankin out of his car, and the 34-year-old surrendered. Rankin was then taken into custody, prosecutors said.

In a new indictment, unsealed this week, prosecutors accuse Rankin of coercing a minor into having sex for money. He also coerced the minor into having sex while being recorded, the indictment says. The video was subsequently distributed, the indictment said.

Rankin was previously convicted of kidnapping, intimidation of a witness, burglary, domestic violence, aggravated assault and abduction. He now faces the following charges: one count of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of production of child pornography, assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

Homeland Security Investigations led the case against Rankin.