Shannima Yuantrell Session, Human Trafficking, Florida 2024

Miami, Florida — A chilling case of human trafficking has come to an end, with a trafficker receiving a life sentence in federal prison. Shannima Yuantrell Session, a Florida resident, was convicted by a federal jury in September 2024 following a nine-day trial for trafficking nearly a dozen women and girls and exploiting their vulnerabilities over multiple years.

Evidence at trial demonstrated that Session lured his victims with false promises of legitimate employment and housing assistance, then used violence, coercion, and intimidation tactics — including physical assault and firearm threats — to control them. Session also manipulated victims’ substance abuse issues to compel them into commercial sex acts.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Hoover, who led the prosecution, received a Certificate of Appreciation from FBI Director Kash Patel for his outstanding work in the case. The award was presented by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Peter Angell of the Fort Pierce Resident Agency at a meeting hosted by the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee at the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

“Human trafficking is one of the most vicious crimes imaginable: it strips victims of their freedom, dignity, and humanity,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “AUSA Justin Hoover showed exceptional leadership and resolve in holding a trafficker accountable and standing up for survivors. This recognition from the FBI reflects the kind of commitment and partnership that defines the best of public service.”

Session was subsequently sentence to life in federal prison for his crimes. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.

The Justice Department is committed to combating human trafficking and bringing perpetrators to justice. For more information about the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking, please visit www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

Defendant: Shannima Yuantrell Session
Criminal Charges: trafficking nearly a dozen women and girls
City and State: Miami, Florida
Exact Date: September 2024
Sentence or Outcome: life in federal prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/assistant-us-attorney-justin-hoover-receives-fbi-certificate-appreciation-leadership