A Georgia woman who sex trafficked two underage girls to Alabama was sentenced earlier this week to 25 years in federal prison, prosecutors said Friday.

Marlette Laishell Smith, also known as “Lala,” 29, of Rome, Georgia, pleaded guilty in late March to two counts of sex trafficking of a minor and two counts of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

Smith recruited two girls, ages 15 and 16, into prostitution for her own financial gain, prosecutors said, citing court documents.

The girls were stranded in Memphis and were trying to get back home to California.

Smith met the victims, who were hungry, penniless, without cell phones and had no vehicles, shelter or clothing besides the clothes on their backs, on a motel stairwell in Memphis.

She told them she would help them get back home if they would go with her to Alabama and make $200 each, prosecutors said.

Smith drove the girls to Georgia and then Alabama, where she sexually trafficked them, prosecutors said.

U.S. District Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Smith to 25 years in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release.

“The commercial sexual exploitation of children causes long-lasting harms to child victims and the entire community,” said Escalona. “The fight to prevent and disrupt exploitation would be impossible without the support of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. We are especially grateful for the work of FBI Birmingham in apprehending the defendant in this case.”

Peeples said the sentence “sends a strong message to those who prey on minors and abuse their trust. The victims, who found themselves in a vulnerable state entrusted this person for assistance in returning home. The FBI is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the victims and reuniting them with their families,”