According to the Department of Justice, a brother and sister from Alabama allegedly ran a sex trafficking ring operation and coerced victims who were struggling with drug addiction.
After a five-day trial, a jury convicted 36-year-old Lonnie Mitchell this week of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion of five victims, as well as sex trafficking a minor and three counts of coercing and enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution purposes.
Previously, Lonnie’s sister Nettisia Mitchell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and she awaits sentencing. Another woman involved in the case, Donna Emmons, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and is awaiting sentencing.
“They face a maximum sentence of life in prison and mandatory restitution,” said the Department of Justice.
Court documents cited by the Justice Department allegedly provided evidence that Lonnie “targeted vulnerable victims who struggled with drug addictions,” and would increase his victims’ use of intravenous heroin.
“Motivated by control, power and greed, this defendant [Lonnie] targeted and recruited vulnerable victims who were struggling in life, and used their vulnerabilities and unspeakable violence to sell them over and over again for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Sex trafficking and forced prostitution are heinous crimes that have no place in our society today. The Department of Justice remains committed to using our human trafficking laws to protect those who are the most vulnerable members of society and vindicate their rights.”
Lonnie would then refuse to give his victims heroin if they violated his “rules” or if they “did not see enough commercial sex clients,” said the Justice Department. He allegedly also threatened victims with violence and claims that he would send out embarrassing information about them.
The defendant’s control over his victims extended to their regulating the amount of food his victims could eat and when they could eat, and confiscation of their identity documents and credit cards.
“Undoubtedly, the victims will long be haunted by Mitchell’s actions. said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama.
Lonnie’s sister was allegedly aware of his scheme – including Lonnie’s violence against his victims – and “facilitated” it. She also allegedly received proceeds from the victims’ involvement in commercial sex.
“This verdict means [Lonnie] Mitchell is facing justice for the many horrors that he inflicted upon his victim, in the name of profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thankfully, he will no longer be able to prey upon innocent children. This is another example of not only the great partnership HSI has with its law enforcement partners, but also the great work we do to protect our communities.”
Lonnie Mitchell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years for sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and a maximum sentence of life. Restitution would also be required by federal law.
Anyone with human trafficking should report that information to the 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888.
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