Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, December 14, 2024 74° Today's Paper


Hawaii NewsTop News

Pimp of woman murdered in Hawaii sentenced to 3 years in prison

Crimestoppers
Ivanice “Ivy”

The pimp of a woman murdered in Waikiki two years ago was sentenced to three years in federal prison for taking her across state lines for prostitution. according to an Oregon newspaper. 

Mark Miles Jr., of Portland, Oregon, appeared in federal court in Portland Wednesday after pleading guilty in May for violating the federal Mann Act, which makes it a crime to transport someone across state lines for prostitution, according to the Oregonian newspaper. 

Prosecutors said Miles, 36, took Ivanice "Ivy" Harris, 28, and another woman to Hawaii in May 2013. 

Harris’ body was found inside a large duffel bag at Keawaula Beach, also known as Yokohama Bay, in the Kaena Point State Park on May 20, 2013. 

Marine Master Sgt. Nathaniel Cosby was convicted in April 2014 of killing Harris after meeting her in a Waikiki bar. Cosby is serving a life sentence and was dishonorably discharged. 

Federal agents arrested Miles and seven other men in January 2014 on charges of transporting women across state lines for prostitution.  

Miles told investigators at the time that he had been a pimp since 2002, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel. 

The Oregonian reports Miles told U.S. District Judge Robert Jones Wednesday that he was a "changed man, a better man and a better father," since his arrest. 

He apologized to his family, the family of Harris and said he has spent the year and a half incarcerated while he awaited sentencing reading self-help books and participating in stress management, anger management, parenting and Alcohol Anonymous classes. 

"I’m not wasting my time in there," said Miles, who has 10- and 5-year-old sons with another woman. "I’m changing my mentality on life and my thought process. I know it starts with the man in the mirror." 

The Oregonian reported that about a dozen family members of both Miles and Harris attended Wednesday’s sentencing hearing. Miles’ attorney, Noel Grefenson, spoke of his client’s remorse. 

Harris’ family has supported Miles since her death, Grefenson said, and the judge noted the support as a positive sign. 

"There appears to be no ill will here or anyone who wants to get even with you," Jones said to Miles. 

Comments are closed.