Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that COREY DAVIS, also known as “Magnificent,” 36, of Queens, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport to 293 months of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for forcing minors and women to work as prostitutes under the threat of physical harm.
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. When he pleaded guilty on March 14, 2008, to Count Six of the Superseding Indictment, DAVIS admitted 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.
“The substantial term of imprisonment imposed today is an appropriate one for a defendant who ruthlessly manipulated young women and minors to perform sex acts for his own enrichment,” Acting United States Attorney Dannehy stated. “I want to acknowledge the diligent investigative work of the FBI, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in three states, and the prosecutors involved in this matter whose combined efforts helped to bring this individual to justice. The Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners are committed to taking down similar criminal enterprises, prosecuting those involved, and seeking assistance for their victims.”
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.
“Preying on vulnerable women and girls is not only abhorrent, it is illegal,” said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking and prosecuting those who seek to profit by exploiting vulnerable members of society.”
In addition to his term if imprisonment, DAVIS must pay restitution in the amount of $50,000. He also has waived any claims to $29,255 in cash seized by the Government, approximately $110,000 in seized jewelry, and two Mercedes Benz automobiles. The Government has recommended 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 have forfeited to the Government their interest in the Queens residence where DAVIS is alleged to have housed the girls.
DAVIS has been detained since his arrest on December 27, 2006.
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), Atlantic City Police Department (NJ) and the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy also noted the critical assistance that victim service organizations have provided during the prosecution of this matter.
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. |
