Pimp of slain prostitute gets 3-year federal term

The pimp of a woman whose body was found stuffed in a duffel bag at Yokohama Bay was sentenced to three years in federal prison Wednesday for bringing the woman across state lines for prostitution.

Mark Miles Jr. of Portland, Ore., appeared in federal court in Portland 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.

Prosecutors said Miles, 36, brought his girlfriend, Ivanice “Ivy” Harris, 28, and another woman to Hawaii in May 2013.

Harris’ body was found at Keawaula Beach, also known as Yokohama Bay, in Kaena Point State Park on May 20.

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 reported Miles told U.S. District Judge Robert Jones on Wednesday that he was a “changed man, a better man and a better father” since his arrest.

He apologized to his family and 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, the Oregonian said.

“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,” according to the Oregonian.

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, according to the Oregonian. “There appears to be no ill will here or anyone who wants to get even with you,” Jones said to Miles.