United States of America v. Antonio Marquis Nicholson

Columbia, South Carolina criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with sex trafficking of children by force, fraud or coercion in violation of 18 U.S.C.1594, coercing or enticing of female/male in violaiton of 18 U.S.C. 2422, and intimidating a writness in violation of 18 U.S.C.1512.

Reported by: Kent Morlan


In 2023, Antonio Marquis Nicholson, age 34, of West Columbia, South Carolina, and his codefendants targeted vulnerable minors, specifically 16 and 17-year-old girls. One victim was a missing and runaway minor from another state. Two victims were Columbia-area high school students with clear vulnerabilities. Together, the four defendants enticed, harbored, transported, advertised, provided, and exploited the three girls into commercial sexual exploitation. They took photographs of the victims, gave them lingerie, advertised them on commercial sex websites, and confiscated the proceeds. Victims were subjected to physical violence and forced to have sex with adult men. They were exposed to drugs, guns, and dangerous encounters with violent customers. The young girls did not have access to medical care, food, or other daily necessities.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.