Lavelleous Purcell, a/k/a ‘King Casino,’ a/k/a ‘Mike Hill,’ is behind bars on federal sex trafficking charges after allegedly forcing more than 50 women into prostitution across state lines for years. The 39-year-old from Hempstead, New York, was presented Friday in Manhattan federal court and ordered detained by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. His alleged accomplice, 26-year-old Gloria Palmer of Rochester, New York, was arraigned in Rochester and released on bail. Both face serious charges tied to a sprawling interstate prostitution network.
Purcell, who used the alias ‘King Casino’ to run his operation, is charged with sex trafficking, transporting women for prostitution, and related offenses spanning from 2012 to 2016. Since at least 2015, he recruited women to travel across state lines to perform commercial sex acts, keeping the profits for himself. Authorities say Palmer facilitated the scheme by booking hotel rooms for Purcell and his victims using interstate communications—a key element in the conspiracy charge filed against her.
According to the indictment unsealed Friday, Purcell ran a well-organized trafficking ring under the guise of a pimping enterprise, exploiting vulnerable women and treating them as commodities. Law enforcement has identified over 50 women believed to have been forced into sex work under his direction. Federal prosecutors say Palmer received a monthly fee from Purcell for her logistical support, deepening her role in the criminal enterprise.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman didn’t mince words: ‘As alleged, Lavelleous Purcell’s conduct was exploitive, forcing women to engage in sex for money, and keeping the money for himself.’ Berman credited the FBI and NYPD with dismantling the operation, calling it a major blow to organized sex trafficking in the region. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. emphasized the brutality of the crime: ‘The subject in this case allegedly forced women to have sex for money.’ He warned that while law enforcement will continue targeting pimps like Purcell, the cycle won’t end without reducing demand. The FBI is urging anyone with information about this case—or any suspected trafficking activity—to call 1-212-384-1000 or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The charges are merely accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s General Crimes Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheb Swett leading the case. The maximum penalties are set by Congress and will be determined by the court if the defendants are convicted.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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