Violent Sex Trafficker Sentenced to 262 Months in Federal Prison
Milwaukee, WI – Morrell D. Johnson, 35, a.k.a. ‘Money,’ a notorious human trafficker on Milwaukee’s south side, was sentenced to 262 months in prison by United States District Court Judge J.P. Stadtmueller on November 5, 2025.
The sentence followed Johnson’s guilty pleas to Sex Trafficking involving six adult survivors, Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
According to court records, Johnson was a drug trafficker who sold heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl and recruited addicted women to perform commercial sex acts, promising them housing, protection, and reliable access to the drugs upon which they were dependent.
Johnson then used the women’s addictions as leverage over them, taking all of the proceeds from the commercial sex acts while adding the cost of the drugs to an ever-mounting debt he claimed they had to repay. If a victim refused to work, tried to leave, or broke Johnson’s rules, he used physical violence and the forcible administration of Narcan as punishments.
Prosecutors argued at sentencing that Johnson used every weapon available to manipulate and terrorize these women, from lies and false promises, to hands, fists, feet, threats, needles, and guns. He even killed a dog to intimidate them.
Most infamously, Johnson punished one woman by stripping her naked, beating her, having her sexually assaulted by multiple men, and imprisoning her in a dog cage. At the time of these crimes, Johnson was on community supervision after serving a prison sentence for a prior Kenosha County heroin distribution conviction.
U.S. Attorney Schimel observed that, ‘Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and is among the most damaging and dehumanizing of any crime. It is also the most difficult for which to hold offenders accountable due to the intense manipulation, fear, and violence inflicted on the survivors.’
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Stadtmueller repeatedly underscored the ‘despicable and wild’ nature of Johnson’s conduct, describing the ‘unspeakable manner in which the victims were treated and preyed upon.’
Chief David Stecker, Oak Creek Police Department, stated, ‘Human trafficking is something that impacts our communities more than we realize. This case was particularly heinous, and no one should be subjected to such violence.’
FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr added, ‘The FBI will continue to work tirelessly to seek justice for victims of human trafficking by joining forces with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to protect our Wisconsin communities.’
Defendant: Morrell D. Johnson
Criminal Charges: Sex Trafficking, Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person
City and State: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Exact Date: November 5, 2025
Sentence or Outcome: 262 months in prison
Defendant’s Alias: ‘Money’
Defendant’s Prior Conviction: Kenosha County heroin distribution conviction
Related Federal Cases
- Nicko Ray Rush II, Sex Trafficking of a Minor, Michigan 2017 · Michigan
- Lucycan Ly, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Wisconsin 2017 · Wisconsin
- Anthony Quintana, Drug Trafficking, Wisconsin 2024 · Wisconsin
- James Nault-Hart, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Wisconsin 2016 · Wisconsin
- Jonathan C. Copeland, Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking, Wisconsin 2024 · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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