GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced that Arisknight Winfree, 32, of East Lansing, was sentenced to life in federal prison for sexually exploiting four women, including two minors, in 2022.
Winfree was convicted on multiple charges, including Kidnapping (Count 1), Coercion and Enticement (Count 2), Attempted Coercion and Enticement (Count 3), and Production of Child Pornography (Counts 4 and 5).
"Arisknight Winfree is a sexual predator whose horrendous acts caused immeasurable harm to the women and girls upon whom he preyed," said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "This life sentence is necessary to protect the community and bring a measure of justice to the survivors."
Winfree targeted his victims in multiple ways, including through the use of social media apps and an online service that connects individuals, often young women, with host families in need of childcare and light housework.
The victims include S.D., a young woman from Italy who was lured to Michigan with promises of a job as an au pair. Winfree handcuffed her hands behind her back, placed a gag ball in her mouth, and raped her. He also considered killing her and hiding her body to avoid prosecution.
Additionally, Winfree was convicted of producing child pornography by instructing two minors, MV1 and MV2, to engage in sexual acts and send images and videos to him through social media apps.
Winfree was sentenced to life in prison, marking a significant step towards healing for the victims of his heinous crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- Adrian Smith, Attempted Sex Trafficking of Minors, Scranton PA, 2024 · Michigan
- Cara Wozniak, Sex Act with Ward and Smuggling Contraband, Michigan 2023 · Oklahoma
- Patrick Roy Wandahsega, Child Sex Abuse, Michigan 2024 · Connecticut
- Matthew Borodich, Child Sex Exploitation, Michigan 2023 · Michigan
- Kristian Ignacio Feliz, Child Sex Exploitation, Michigan 2023 · Connecticut
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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