A federal jury in Miami convicted Jason Wagner, a 41-year-old Latin King gang member, of two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, obstruction of sex trafficking enforcement, and use of interstate facilities in aid of racketeering.
The convictions followed a seven-day jury trial in front of Chief District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga in Miami. Wagner was accused of forcing several women, including minors, to engage in commercial sex since as early as 2003.
According to the indictment, Wagner locked his victims in his apartments, took their personal identification documents, subjected them to violence and threats of violence, and provided them with drugs. He also repeatedly asked one of the victims to drop the charges and refuse to testify in court after his arrest.
Wagner faces up to life in prison and sentencing is set for January 12, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in Miami.
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, in partnership with the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Human Trafficking Squad and the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lacee Elizabeth Monk and Jessica Kahn Obenauf prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
To report suspected human trafficking or to obtain resources for victims, please call 1-888-373-7888; text ‘BeFree’ (233733), or live chat at HumanTraffickingHotline.org. The National Hotline is not managed by law enforcement, immigration, or an investigative agency, and correspondence with the National Hotline is confidential.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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