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March 14, 2008
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NEW YORK PIMP PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX TRAFFICKING OF MINOR
Defendant agrees to prison sentence of at least 23 years; victims fund created from disgorged profits of criminal enterprise
Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that COREY DAVIS, also known as “Magnificent,” 36, of Queens, New York, pleaded guilty today to one count of sex trafficking of a minor. A trial in this matter was scheduled to begin on Monday, March 17.
On August 23, 2007, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned a Superseding Indictment charging DAVIS with various sex trafficking violations and alleging that DAVIS recruited girls aged 12, 15, 17 and 18, forced them to work as dancers and prostitutes, and took all the money that they earned. DAVIS controlled the girls through physical and psychological coercion, including beatings, rapes, confinement, threats of serious harm, intimidation and humiliation.
Today, DAVIS pleaded guilty to Count Six of the Superseding Indictment, admitting that, in approximately May 2005, while operating as a pimp, he knowingly and unlawfully recruited, enticed, harbored and transported the 12-year-old girl, identified as MV#1, for purposes of causing MV#1 to engage in commercial sex acts by using force and threats of serious harm and physical restraint.
According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, DAVIS housed MV#1 and others at a residence located in Queens , New York . DAVIS required MV#1 and others to make money for DAVIS by dancing and engaging in sexual acts at strip clubs, to engage in sexual acts at private parties, and by requiring them to engage in sexual acts at a “track” (a geographic area known for prostitution) in Queens . DAVIS also drove MV#1 and others from New York to Connecticut for the purpose of dancing and engaging in sexual acts in exchange for money. While in Connecticut , MV#1 primarily worked at Bishop’s Corner Café in Bridgeport , where it was not unusual for her to work approximately 12 hours per day, and where DAVIS often required her to earn $1,000 per day through dancing and/or prostitution. DAVIS also obtained hotel rooms for MV#1 and the other girls when they stayed in the same location for more than one day. MV#1 was directed to turn over all the money that she made to DAVIS or a subordinate.
The Superseding Indictment alleged that another minor victim (MV#2) was transported from to New York to work at Pleasant Moments in Bridgeport . MV#2 also was required to work “locked door” parties in underground clubs and, in approximately March 2006, after she had turned 18-years-old, she flew to Dallas , Texas with DAVIS and other girls where they danced and engaged in prostitution.
In order to prevent both MV#1, MV#2 and other girls from leaving, DAVIS is alleged to have beaten them by punching, kicking and slapping them; humiliated and degraded them and the other girls; threatened them with serious physical harm; beat, humiliated and degraded the other girls in front of them, and threatened the other girls with serious physical harm in front of them. DAVIS also is alleged to have controlled MV#1 and MV#2 by confining them at various times at the house in Queens . In addition, DAVIS allegedly brandished a firearm in front of MV#2, hit her with a firearm and, in one instance, put a firearm in her mouth.
Both MV#1 and MV#2 eventually ran away from DAVIS .
DAVIS has been detained since his arrest on December 27, 2006.
Judge Hall has scheduled sentencing for June 2, 2008. The charge of sex trafficking of a minor carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life. According to a binding plea agreement, DAVIS has agreed to ask for a sentence of 276 months (23 years) of imprisonment. The Government will request a sentence of 293 months (24 years, five months) of imprisonment. DAVIS also has waived his rights to appeal a sentence that does not exceed 293 months of imprisonment.
DAVIS also has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $50,000. He also agreed to waive any claims to $29,255 in cash seized by the Government, approximately $110,000 in jewelry, and two Mercedes Benz automobiles. The Government will recommend that these proceeds will constitute a restitution fund for MV#1, MV#2 and two other victims of DAVIS ’ criminal enterprise. The Government will request that the Court appoint a trustee to distribute these funds to assist the victims with housing, child care, education, counseling and other needs.
DAVIS and his mother also will forfeit to the Government their interest in the Queens residence where DAVIS is alleged to have housed the girls. The property has an estimated value of $575,000 and an approximate estimated equity value of $286,000.
“As a result of today’s guilty plea, this defendant not only will be sentenced to at least 23 years in prison, he will disgorge more than $500,000 earned through his criminal enterprise, a good portion of which we hope will be distributed to his victims in order to assist them in putting their lives back together,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated. “Also, this agreement avoids the need to have these victims testify in open court. I want to acknowledge the diligent work of the FBI, state and local law enforcement agencies in three states and the prosecutors who have investigated and prosecuted this matter. There are few crimes more heinous than sex trafficking of minors, and our STOP IT team is committed to taking down these criminal enterprises, prosecuting those involved, and seeking assistance for their victims.”
“The FBI is committed to investigating sexual slavery and trafficking, and we encourage any women and girls who are trapped in similar situations to come forward, because help is available,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Kimberly K. Mertz. “I want to acknowledge the IRS-CID, the Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford , Bridgeport , Pembroke Pines and Colonie Police Departments for their valuable assistance to this investigation.”
This case has been investigated by members of the Smuggling and Trafficking of Persons Investigative Task Force (“STOP IT”). The investigation has been led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Connecticut State Police, Stratford Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, Pembroke Pines Police Department (FL), Colonie Police Department ( Latham , NY ), and the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Krishna R. Patel and Peter S. Jongbloed, and Michael J. Frank of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
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