BUFFALO (WBEN) - U.S. Attorney JP Kennedy announced Thursday afternoon that a federal jury has convicted 51-year-old Valentino Shine on multiple counts of sex trafficking and drug related charges.
Shine was officially convicted on five counts of sex trafficking, and one count each of sex trafficking conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
US Attorney JP Kennedy is discussing the guilty verdict in the case of Valentino Shine, who was charged with using illegal narcotics to control and coerce victims into prostitution. Shine faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. @NewsRadio930 pic.twitter.com/tMRRWr0Vvl
— Brendan Keany (@BrendanKeany)
September 26, 2019 "The government's evidence at trial established that the defendant ran a sex trafficking operation out of his Humboldt Parkway residence in Buffalo, New York," said Kennedy. "Mr. Shine preyed and exploited women who were vulnerable and addicted to drugs by coercing them to engage in commercial sex acts."
Three women who worked for Shine died of drug overdoses as a result of their addictions.
"In addition to drugs, Mr. Shine also used other forms of coercion including physical beatings, manipulation and and brainwashing to control his victims," he said. "This conduct occurred for at least a period of two years, as established at trial, between 2015 and 2016."
Shine faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison when he's sentenced on December 12.
