Jeffrey Jason Cooper, 46, of Miami Beach, Florida, has been convicted on all 11 counts for orchestrating a sex trafficking scheme that targeted foreign university students with promises of legitimate summer jobs.
According to the Department of Justice, Cooper deceived foreign students from Kazakhstan into entering the United States under the guise of clerical positions at a non-existent yoga studio. Upon arrival in Miami in May 2011, the victims were instead coerced into participating in his prostitution and erotic massage enterprise.
The Southern District of Florida jury returned the guilty verdict after four days of trial, with Cooper being found guilty of sex trafficking, attempted sex trafficking by fraud, wire fraud, importation of persons for prostitution or immoral purposes, and use of a facility of interstate commerce to operate a prostitution enterprise.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer emphasized the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combating human trafficking internationally. ‘Jeffrey Cooper used deception to lure unsuspecting foreign university students across the globe, only to be exploited for his own personal profit,’ said Ferrer.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta echoed these sentiments, stating that the Civil Rights Division would continue to work tirelessly to bring traffickers to justice. ‘Cooper preyed on students seeking opportunities through educational exchange programs, using fraud and false promises to sell their bodies for his own profit,’ Gupta said.
HSI Special Agent in Charge Mark Selby highlighted the global effort to prevent exploitation of educational work programs. ‘HSI along with our federal and international law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to ensure that individuals like Cooper do not exploit educational work programs for their own profit,’ Selby stated.
Related Federal Cases
- Naomi Ruth Smith on Trial for Child Sex Trafficking · Georgia
- Lee & Downing: MD Pimps Plead Guilty to Sex Trafficking · Maryland
- Miami Dade Students, Target Employees Plead Guilty in Identity Theft Tax Fraud Scheme · Florida
- Miami Arms King Campo Sentenced to Life forMurder & Firearms Trafficking · Florida
- Tampa Predator Manning Gets 10 Years for Child Sex Trafficking Attempt · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Organized Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
