ROCHESTER, NY – Shykeila Russell, 30, of Rochester, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today for a brutal assault on a woman who dared to testify against her brother. U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer handed down a 12-month and one-day sentence for the charge of witness intimidation, a clear message that interfering with justice will not be tolerated.
The case stems back to September 2017, when the victim, identified as L.T., took the stand in a federal jury trial against Stephen Jones, Russell’s brother. Jones was ultimately convicted on sex trafficking charges and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence. L.T.’s testimony proved crucial to securing that conviction, a fact Russell apparently couldn’t stomach.
On July 27, 2018, Russell took matters into her own hands. According to court documents, she located L.T. walking down a Rochester street with a small child. Russell confronted the victim, delivering a chilling threat: “my brother is doing 25 years and you think you can just walk around like nothing happened.” The words were quickly followed by violence.
Russell then launched into a repeated assault, punching L.T. repeatedly in the head. The victim sustained bruising and significant pain as a result of the attack – a calculated act of retaliation designed to silence and intimidate. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola successfully argued that Russell’s actions went beyond simple anger, constituting a direct attempt to obstruct the legal process.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force under Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, quickly pieced together the events leading to Russell’s arrest and subsequent conviction. The FBI’s dedication to protecting witnesses is paramount, especially in sensitive cases like sex trafficking, where victims are often vulnerable and fearful.
This sentencing sends a firm message: those who attempt to intimidate or harm those cooperating with federal investigations will face serious consequences. Russell’s actions not only caused physical harm to L.T. but also threatened the integrity of the justice system. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the fallout from Stephen Jones’s sex trafficking operation.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Human Trafficking|Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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