BOSTON – In a stunning verdict, 29-year-old Dimitri Shawn McKenzie was found guilty by a federal jury of attempting to pay for sex with a 14-year-old girl. The case, which unfolded over three days of trial, marked another victory in the fight against child sex trafficking.
Mckenzie, charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child, now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24, 2024.
According to U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young, McKenzie’s arrest and charging in November 2022 sent a powerful message: ‘Every single person who considers paying to have sex with a minor better take notice – if you are caught you are facing at least a mandatory 10-year sentence in a federal prison.’
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy echoed the judge’s sentiments, emphasizing that demand for child sex trafficking fuels a pernicious market and that both traffickers and customers must be prosecuted to protect children.
HSI Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol highlighted McKenzie’s case as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by predators: ‘Dimitri McKenzie was fully prepared to pay to sexually abuse someone he believed was a child. Instead, he found himself facing federal prison time after today’s verdict.’
The investigation into McKenzie began in November 2022 when he responded to a fictitious online advertisement offering two minors for sex acts in exchange for money. McKenzie agreed to pay $100 for 20 minutes with the 14-year-old ‘minor’ at a local hotel, but was immediately taken into custody upon his arrival.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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