A brutal sex trafficking ring that operated in Dallas, Texas, for nearly two decades has been brought to an end, thanks to a guilty plea from its ringleader, Anthony Johnson, 45. Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking through force, fraud, and coercion, and sex trafficking on May 10, narrowly avoiding his trial, which was scheduled to begin the same day.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad E. Meacham, Johnson systematically tormented his victims, convincing them they had no choice but to bend to his will. ‘Like Tremont Blakemore, a north Texas trafficker who pleaded guilty just two weeks ago, Anthony Johnson tormented his victims, convincing them they had no choice but to bend to his will,’ said U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham.
Johnson, also known as ‘Macc Bucc,’ forced numerous women to engage in commercial sex acts and turn the proceeds over to him. He set ‘quotas,’ compelled the women to work for hours on end, and brutally beat them with an extension cord when they came up short, ‘disrespected’ him, or did not follow his rules. He also required the women to steal from commercial sex customers, instructing them to rifle through customers’ pockets for cash or jewelry and check their cars for valuables.
One woman, identified in court documents as ‘Adult Victim 7,’ endured his abuse for several years. The night he recruited AV7, Johnson directed his second-in-command, Demetrice Deckard, to take her to Harry Hines and teach her how to solicit commercial sex customers. She engaged in commercial sex with her first customer just a few days later. Throughout her time in his trafficking organization, AV7 was forced to travel cross-country to engage in commercial sex and was routinely beaten when she tried to leave the organization.
Johnson now faces up to life in federal prison. His co-defendant, Demetrice Deckard, pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to engage in trafficking through force, fraud, and coercion and faces up to life in federal prison. Another co-defendant, Ashley Neice, pled guilty to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and admitted to conspiring with Johnson to contact a victim in the criminal case in order to tell her not to cooperate with law enforcement. Neice faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
The brutal sex trafficking ring was finally brought to an end thanks to the hard work of law enforcement and the bravery of the victims who came forward. As U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham said, ‘If you or someone you know is being victimized, reach out for help. As impossible as it may seem in the moment, there is a way out.’
Johnson’s guilty plea is a significant step towards justice for the victims of his sex trafficking ring. As Homeland Security Investigator Christopher Miller said, ‘This defendant’s guilty plea moves one step closer to finding justice for the victims he brutalized and manipulated.’
Johnson’s case serves as a stark reminder of the horrors of sex trafficking and the importance of bringing those responsible to justice. As the investigation continues, it is clear that the victims of Johnson’s sex trafficking ring will finally get the justice they deserve.
Defendant: Anthony Johnson, 45
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking through force, fraud, and coercion, and sex trafficking
City and State: Dallas, Texas
Date: May 10
Sentence: Up to life in federal prison
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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