Matthew 'Stacks' Woods, Sex Trafficking, New Mexico 2023

Sex Trafficking Ring Leader Faces 15-18 Years in Prison

In a shocking turn of events, Matthew 'Stacks' Woods, a 32-year-old from Indiana, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by means of force, threats, fraud, and coercion and aiding and abetting in federal court on June 8, 2023.

Woods will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been set. His plea agreement admits to his part in the conspiracy to recruit, maintain, advertise, and transport victims for the purpose of prostitution. The victims were expected to work when they were told, with no say over their hours, fees, or the locations in which they were to perform sex acts.

The victims were not allowed to keep any of the money paid for their services. According to the plea, Cornelius 'Chip' Galloway was the leader of the organization, Marcus 'Taylor Made' Taylor transported the victims, and Woods physically punished victims for non-compliance.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Albuquerque Police Department with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack E. Burkhead and Letitia C. Simms are prosecuting the case.

Galloway, the leader of the organization, pleaded guilty on March 17, 2020, and was sentenced on August 4, 2020, to 17 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Taylor, the transporter of the victims, pleaded guilty on May 21, 2020, and was sentenced on May 21, 2021, to eight years in prison followed by 10 years supervised release. Both are required to register as sex offenders.

Matthew Woods, a 32-year-old Indiana man, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by means of force, threats, fraud, and coercion and aiding and abetting in federal court on June 8, 2023. He faces 15 to 18 years in prison, up to lifetime supervised release, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/indiana-man-pleads-guilty-sex-trafficking-conspiracy