Duane Phillips, Sex Trafficking Conspiracy, Louisiana 2023

Memphis Men Plead Guilty to Sex Trafficking in Louisiana

Two Memphis men, Duane Phillips and Christopher Williams, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit sex trafficking of adult victims by force, fraud and coercion in New Orleans and elsewhere.

Defendant Anthony Ellis also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit sex trafficking of adult victims and one count of transportation for purposes of prostitution. The crimes were committed out of the Riviera Motel in New Orleans, which is alleged to have been used to compel multiple women to engage in prostitution.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate trafficking in human beings, and will continue to relentlessly pursue justice on behalf of vulnerable members of our society, whether they are migrants from beyond our borders or whether they are young women from our own communities,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Allen Polite Jr. added, “These defendants recruited vulnerable victims from the New Orleans community and brought other victims to New Orleans to engage in commercial sex trafficking. These crimes often pass without detection because victims live in fear from physical abuse, threats and other forms of coercion.”

As part of the investigation, two additional defendants, Zacchaeus Taylor and Laquentin Brown, have previously pleaded guilty to similar charges. They each face a maximum of five years on the conspiracy count and a maximum of 10 years on the transportation for prostitution count.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s New Orleans Division and Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) New Orleans Field Office. “Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that Homeland Security Investigations fights as one of its highest priorities via a coordinated global effort with the FBI and our state and local law enforcement partners,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Cindy M. Johnson.

The defendants are expected to face sentencing in the coming months. In the meantime, the investigation continues to uncover the extent of the sex trafficking scheme and bring those responsible to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/three-additional-defendants-plead-guilty-connection-sex-trafficking-scheme