Carla Mathews, Sex Trafficking, Missouri 2011

St. Louis, MO – In a shocking turn of events, Carla Mathews, a local woman, has pleaded guilty to a sex trafficking conspiracy charge. On Thursday, October 10, Mathews appeared before United States District Judge Henry Autrey, where she admitted to her involvement in the commercial sex trade.

According to court documents, Mathews recruited and maintained women in the St. Louis metropolitan area between January 2010 and December 2011. She used force and intimidation to control the women, who were forced to engage in prostitution at various hotels. Mathews took the women’s money and confiscated their food-stamp identification cards, leaving them without access to food and drink.

Mathews also provided the women with the drug MDMA and clothing in preparation for commercial sex dates. Her brother, a co-defendant, pleaded guilty to the same charges in March and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in July.

The investigation into Mathews’ activities was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Investigations, and the Breckenridge Hills Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Noelle Collins is handling the case.

Mathews now faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for January 6, 2014. In determining the actual sentence, the judge will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case highlights the dark reality of sex trafficking in our communities. The victims in this case were subjected to physical and emotional abuse, and it is a testament to the bravery of those who came forward that Mathews has been brought to justice.

As the investigation continues, it is clear that Mathews’ actions had a devastating impact on the lives of those involved. The consequences of her actions will be severe, and we hope that this case will serve as a warning to others who would engage in similar activities.

With this guilty plea, Mathews has taken a significant step towards accountability for her crimes. We will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Related Federal Cases