Cornelius Chip Galloway, Sex Trafficking, New Mexico 2024

Cornelius “Chip” Galloway, 37, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is headed to federal prison for 17 years after pleading guilty to running a brutal sex trafficking ring that exploited multiple women through force, threats, and coercion. The sentence, handed down yesterday in federal court, marks the end of a years-long investigation into a criminal operation that turned vulnerable women into commodities for sale.

Between October 2016 and February 2017, Galloway and his co-conspirators operated an underground prostitution network in Bernalillo County, using violence and intimidation to maintain control. Victims were forced to perform sex acts on demand, with no say over hours, pricing, or locations. Every dollar earned went straight into the pockets of Galloway and his associates, who tightly managed operations through online ads, hotel bookings, and phone-based client scheduling.

Galloway admitted in court that he used fraud and psychological coercion to trap women in the trade, often threatening harm if they tried to leave. The ring operated like a cartel — structured, secretive, and ruthless. Authorities say victims lived in constant fear, moving between motels and controlled locations with no autonomy or escape.

His then-wife, Danielle Galloway, pleaded guilty on April 8, 2019, to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, confirming her role in the operation. Marcus Taylor, 35, has also pled guilty to the same charge. Another defendant, Matthew Woods, 31, remains in custody and is scheduled to stand trial on August 10. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was jointly investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Albuquerque Police Department, a collaboration that broke open the network through surveillance, victim interviews, and digital forensics. Prosecutors used phone records, financial trails, and classified ads to map out the enterprise and tie each defendant to the crimes.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Letitia Carroll Simms and Jack E. Burkhead led the prosecution. The 17-year sentence reflects the severity of the crimes and sends a clear message: sex trafficking will be met with maximum federal penalties. Galloway will serve his time in a federal penitentiary, with no early release.

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