Austin Koeckeritz, Sex Trafficking, Wisconsin 2024
Austin Koeckeritz, a 32-year-old resident of River Falls, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a sex trafficking operation. Koeckeritz's crimes, which occurred between August 2020 and August 2022, involved the exploitation of an adult victim, who was forced to perform commercial sexual acts online for up to 12 hours a day, six days a week.
Koeckeritz controlled all of the proceeds made by the adult victim from this online commercial sex work. He also recruited a minor to engage in commercial sex acts and promote the adult victim's online commercial sex work. In addition, Koeckeritz caused the minor victim to engage in sexual acts that he photographed with the intent to sell them online.
On April 11, 2024, Koeckeritz was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and a life-term of supervised release. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to pay over $400,000 in restitution.
Koeckeritz's crimes are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of human trafficking on victims. The U.S. Attorney's Office encourages anyone who has been affected by human trafficking to come forward and seek help.
Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of a person for labor, services, or commercial sex, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Under federal law, methods of coercion include physical or nonphysical (for example, psychological, financial, and reputational), as well as using or threatening to use a legal process in an inappropriate manner.
The U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to fighting against human trafficking and bringing traffickers to justice. If you or someone you know has been affected by human trafficking, there are resources available to help. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888.
Austin Koeckeritz, 32, River Falls, Wisconsin
Criminal Charges: Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and sex trafficking of a minor
City and State: River Falls, Wisconsin
Date: April 11, 2024
Sentence: 20 years in federal prison and a life-term of supervised release
Dollar Amount: $400,000 in restitution
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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