COLUMBIA, S.C. – Eric Rashun Jones, a 31-year-old Newberry man, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy that left multiple women with physical and emotional trauma.
Jones pleaded guilty to human trafficking conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and witness tampering. The evidence presented in court showed that Jones violently exploited women in the commercial sex trade from August 2018 to November 2022, using physical violence, force, and fear to control them.
Jones’ victims were subjected to physical abuse, including beatings with a pistol and other objects, broken bones, teeth, and permanent injuries. He also directed and recorded the assault of his victims, used sexual violence, and introduced them to drugs, including fentanyl, to exploit their addiction.
During his reign of terror, Jones abducted and restrained two of his victims for multiple days, isolated them from others, and tattooed them with his name to signify ownership. He also confiscated the commercial sex proceeds for his financial gain and tampered with the investigation by directing victims to not speak with agents and threatening to harm their families if they did.
U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs stated, “Our office will continue to bring every resource to bear to vindicate victims’ rights and hold traffickers like Jones accountable.” The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, Steve Jensen, added, “Jones’ crimes revealed the depth of human depravity and outright evil he casually and continuously imposed upon his victims.”
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Jones to 40 years imprisonment, followed by a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision, with no contact with the victims. Jones will also pay $65,000 in restitution to eight victims. His co-defendant, Brittany Cromer, previously pleaded guilty to human trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced to five years earlier this month.
Related Federal Cases
- Newberry Man Gets 40 Years for Sex Trafficking Ring · South Carolina
- Flushing Trio Indicted in Interstate Sex Trafficking Ring · Pennsylvania
- Anderson Couple Among Five Indicted for Child Sex Trafficking & Porn · South Carolina
- Charleston Man Gets 5 Years for Cocaine Conspiracy · Kentucky
- Charleston Man Gets 5 Years for Cocaine Conspiracy · Kentucky
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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