Aaron T. Simmons, 26, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced today to 365 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after he pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of sex trafficking of a minor.
The case against Simmons began when the FBI Columbia Field Office and Greenville Police Department investigated allegations of sex trafficking in the Greenville area. According to court documents, Simmons used physical beatings, threats, intimidation, control and psychological manipulation to coerce three adult victims to engage in repeated commercial sex acts between August 2019 and August 2020.
Simmons also provided a 17-year-old minor victim for commercial sex acts in the Greenville area between August 2019 and November 2019. The victims were exploited for their bodies, with Simmons profiting from their forced labor.
‘This significant prison sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s brutal conduct inflicted on victims, including a minor, for many months,’ said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. ‘The sexual exploitation of victims in this manner robs them of their freedom, dignity and sense of security, and stands to scar them for life.’
U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs added, ‘Our office will continue to bring every resource we have to bear to stop human trafficking in South Carolina. Those who victimize human beings, especially children, in this heinous manner will be held accountable.’
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Defendant: Aaron T. Simmons
Criminal Charges: One count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of sex trafficking of a minor
City and State: Greenville, South Carolina
Exact Date: November 2023 (plea), today (sentencing)
Sentence: 365 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release
Related Federal Cases
- Johnny Ricardo Thomas, Sex Trafficking of Minors, South Carolina 2024 · South Carolina
- Laclarence Anderson, Trafficking in Firearms and Narcotics, South Carolina 2023 · Arkansas
- Richard Alexander Murdaugh, Drug Trafficking, South Carolina 2023 · South Carolina
- Jamie Brown, Federal Drug Trafficking, South Carolina, 2023 · South Carolina
- Brandon Singleton, Cocaine Trafficking, South Carolina 2024 · South Carolina
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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