Date: 01-31-2025

Case Style:

United States of America v. Eric Jefferson

Case Number:

Judge: J. Nicholas Ranjan

Court: The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (Allegheny County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Sex Trafficking of Multiple Women
Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of Multiple Women

A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was convicted of sex trafficking.

From in and around June 2019 to in and around April 2022, Jefferson coerced and forced at least four women to perform commercial sex work for his monetary gain. Jefferson provided the women with drugs for meeting clients and would withhold the drugs if the women—who were addicted to narcotics and could become ill with withdrawal symptoms—refused to meet with clients. Jefferson also used violence and threats of violence to coerce and force the women to engage in commercial sex work.

“Eric Jefferson forced these women to earn money on his behalf, controlling the victims both through physical force and exploiting their dependence upon narcotics,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will aggressively prosecute human traffickers such as Jefferson in order to protect and rescue the most vulnerable victims in our district.”

“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community will always be among the highest priorities for the FBI,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “The message this sentencing sends is clear: the FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue criminals who think they can prey on others.”

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Ranjan heard from the victims of the charged crimes and stressed the heinousness of Jefferson’s conduct and its devastating impacts upon the victims.

Assistant United States Attorney DeMarr Moulton prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jefferson.

This prosecution is part of Operation T.E.N. (Trafficking Ends Now), an umbrella coalition for law enforcement, community, and non-profit partners in the 25 counties in the Western District of Pennsylvania. This coordinated effort aims to end human trafficking through education and improved cooperation across agencies and service providers, thereby enhancing the office’s ability to empower victims of human trafficking to become thriving survivors.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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