A shocking crime has shaken the community in Western Pennsylvania as a resident of Euclid, Ohio, pleaded guilty to charges of sex trafficking of a child and coercion and enticement of an adult with the intent that they engage in commercial sex.
Donte Lashawn Cole, 40, pleaded guilty to the two counts before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV on April 14, 2025, in federal court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to investigators, Cole transported the minor and an adult from Ohio to a hotel in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, to engage in commercial sex. Investigators found condoms, lubrication, cleaning wipes, pregnancy tests, and only a few pieces of clothing in the room used by the minor and similar items in the room used by the adult.
The investigation determined that Cole used online advertisements to market the victims for commercial sex services in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere from April 2023 to October 2023. Cole directed the victims to engage in these acts and then, immediately afterwards, report all amounts of money earned to him. Cole also controlled access to food, refusing to provide the minor anything beyond fast food if she did not earn him enough money.
The court was advised that Cole used online advertisements to market the victims for commercial sex services in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere from April 2023 to October 2023. Cole directed the victims to engage in these acts and then, immediately afterwards, report all amounts of money earned to him.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for August 18, 2025. According to the law, the total sentence for Cole could be not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Section and Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh, with valuable assistance also provided by the Monroeville Police Department and Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Defendant: Donte Lashawn Cole
Criminal Charges: Sex trafficking of a child and coercion and enticement of an adult with the intent that they engage in commercial sex
City and State: Pittsburgh, PA
Date: April 14, 2025
Sentence or Outcome: Scheduled sentencing for August 18, 2025
Dollar Amounts: None
Related Federal Cases
- Corderro Cody Indicted for Sex Trafficking, Philadelphia PA, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Gary C. Green, Jr. Cross-State Line Sex with Minor, New York, 2013 · New York
- Shawn J. Bivens, Child Sex Trafficking, OH, 2023 · Kentucky
- Carmen J. Sagnimeni, Enticement of a Minor and Interstate Travel for Illegal Sexual Activity, Pennsylvania 2016 · Pennsylvania
- Warren Charles Green IV, Heroin Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2013 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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