A Pittsburgh man is going to prison for 25 years for sex trafficking.
Eric Jefferson was sentenced in federal court after being convicted of coercing and forcing at least four women to perform commercial sex work.
Prosecutors say Jefferson provided the women with drugs and would them if his addicted victims refused to meet with clients.
“Eric Jefferson forced these women to earn money on his behalf, controlling the victims both through physical force and exploiting their dependence upon narcotics,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will aggressively prosecute human traffickers such as Jefferson in order to protect and rescue the most vulnerable victims in our district.”
Jefferson also used violence to coerce the women to do sex work.
The case is part of Operation Trafficking Ends Now, an umbrella coalition in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community will always be among the highest priorities for the FBI,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “The message this sentencing sends is clear: the FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue criminals who think they can prey on others.”