By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post
A federal civil lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, tied to the Furnas County sex trafficking investigation that began in 2019. The case, Jane Doe v. Harrington et al, appears on the public docket under Case No. 7:25‑cv‑05010. The lawsuit was originally filed on December 8, 2025, and an amended complaint with a jury demand was submitted on December 24, 2025, allowing the plaintiff’s attorney to refine the claims before the defendants respond.
The plaintiff, referred to as “Jane Doe” in the court filings to protect her identity, names several individuals and business entities she claims played a role in enabling her exploitation. Those listed as defendants in the docket include Shane Harrington, doing business as Paradise City, Carl Kramer Sr., Joseph Baumbach, and other related business entities connected to the alleged trafficking locations. The federal court classifies the case under “Other Statutory Actions” and as a federal question case, indicating that the lawsuit alleges violations of federal law.
Connection to Prior Criminal Proceedings
The civil case stems from a broader criminal investigation in Furnas County, which identified a trafficking network operating from 2019 into early 2020. Central to the criminal case was William “Billy” J. Quinn of Oxford, Nebraska, who was convicted on multiple felony counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, first-degree sexual assault of a child, production of child sexual material, enticement via electronic communication, and child abuse.
In the criminal proceedings, Quinn received a sentence of a minimum of 176.5 years and a maximum of 304 years in prison, ensuring he will spend the remainder of his life incarcerated. Other participants in the trafficking ring were also prosecuted and sentenced for their roles. Carl Kramer Sr., for example, received five years’ probation and 180 days in jail after pleading to child abuse charges connected to the same victim. Additional individuals, including others associated with the trafficking network, received probation, jail time, and, in some cases, were required to register as sex offenders.
While these criminal sentences imposed legal consequences on the defendants, the federal civil docket reflects that the victim, Jane Doe, is seeking direct accountability to her, alleging that prior prosecutions did not provide legal recourse for the personal harm she suffered.
Claims in the Civil Lawsuit
According to the public docket, the civil complaint alleges that the defendants knew or should have known that Jane Doe was being trafficked and failed to intervene, report the abuse, or contact law enforcement. The defendants named include both individuals and businesses where trafficking occurred, suggesting that the plaintiff seeks to hold all parties accountable for their alleged roles in enabling or benefiting from her exploitation.
The amended complaint, filed December 24, 2025, requests compensatory and punitive damages, as well as coverage of legal fees. These claims rely on federal statutes that permit survivors of trafficking to pursue civil action against individuals or entities who knowingly participated in or benefited from trafficking activities. By filing this federal civil action, Jane Doe is asserting a separate legal avenue beyond the criminal convictions, emphasizing her right to direct remedies for her personal injuries.
Procedural Status and Public Access
As of the most recent docket entries, the civil case is in its early stages. The defendants have not yet filed formal responses, and future steps are expected to include answers, motions to dismiss, and the commencement of discovery, during which parties will exchange evidence.
Because the lawsuit involves a minor, the full complaint and supporting filings are sealed or restricted to protect the victim’s identity. However, the docket itself is public and confirms the filing dates, parties involved, and the nature of the case. Full access to court filings is available through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) using Case No. 7:25‑cv‑05010, or by contacting the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska.
Significance of the Civil Action
This federal civil case highlights a survivor’s ongoing pursuit of justice and accountability, seeking remedies that were not addressed by the criminal sentences of the perpetrators. While the prior prosecutions resulted in lengthy prison terms and other penalties for individuals such as Billy Quinn and various co-defendants, the civil action underscores that criminal convictions do not always provide direct compensation or legal accountability to victims. By filing in federal court, Jane Doe is asserting her right to hold both individuals and associated businesses responsible for their alleged involvement in her trafficking and exploitation.