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Lakeland Man Sentenced to 33 Years for Sex Trafficking

A Lakeland man has been handed a lengthy sentence for his role in a sex trafficking ring that targeted minors.

According to court documents, Michael Gallon, 49, was sentenced to 33 years and 9 months in federal prison for sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud or coercion. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Steven D. Merryday in Tampa, Florida.

Gallon was also ordered to serve a concurrent term of 20 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography. He will serve a lifetime of supervision upon his release from prison.

Gallon pleaded guilty to the charges on February 5, 2014, as part of a plea agreement.

According to the agreement, Gallon operated a sex trafficking ring in Florida and the southeastern United States. He recruited adult and minor females to join his ‘dance team’ and transported them to bachelor parties and house parties where they would perform acts of prostitution. Gallon set up ‘VIP’ rooms at each of the parties, where he would encourage the females to engage in commercial sex acts and he would keep most of the money they earned.

Law enforcement has identified at least twelve minor-aged victims of Gallon’s crime.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Lakeland Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacie B. Harris.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

Gallon’s sentence serves as a reminder of the severity of sex trafficking crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

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