A federal jury found an Alabama man guilty last week of sex trafficking at least five victims – including a minor – who were coerced into prostitution, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Lonnie Dontae Mitchell, 36, of Montgomery was arrested in September 2020 on suspicion of drug and sex trafficking, according to the Justice Department. A jury last year found him guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to a press release, Mitchell targeted vulnerable people who used drugs and encouraged them to inject heroin. He then withheld the drug to punish and control the behavior of his victims. He also threatened his victims with violence and the prospect of releasing embarrassing information and photos to their family members and withheld their IDs and credit cards.
“Mitchell beat, threatened, manipulated and exploited his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart for the Middle District of Alabama in a press release. “He took advantage of their suffering and addictions to force them into prostitution and drug dealing, all for his own personal gain. The damage caused was not only physical, but also emotional. Undoubtedly, the victims will long be haunted by Mitchell’s actions.
The jury found Mitchell guilty of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion for five victims. He was also found guilty of sex trafficking a minor and three counts of coercing and enticing an individual to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution.
Mitchell had two co-defendants, including his sister Nettisia Mitchell. According to the press release, Nettisia Mitchell witnessed her brother’s violence against one victim but continued to help him and shared in the profits from sex trafficking. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion.
Another co-defendant, Donna Emmons, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Both Emmons and Nettisia Mitchell are still awaiting sentencing and could face up to life in prison.
Mitchell faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and the Montgomery Police Department.
“Motivated by control, power and greed, this defendant 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 in a press release. “Sex trafficking and forced prostitution are heinous crimes that have no place in our society today.”