DALLAS, TX – Wilhan Martono, 47, admitted to building a $21 million empire on the backs of exploited women and children. The owner of CityXGuide, a website shuttered by federal authorities in June 2020, pleaded guilty August 24, 2021, to one count of promotion of prostitution and reckless disregard of sex trafficking, and one count of conspiracy to engage in interstate transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises – effectively, facilitating prostitution. This marks the first-ever guilty plea under the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), a 2018 law aimed at holding website operators accountable for the crimes advertised on their platforms.
Martono wasn’t some unwitting host; he actively cultivated a marketplace for exploitation. Court documents reveal he launched CityXGuide and a network of related sites just one day after the feds took down Backpage.com, then the dominant player in online sex ads. Like its predecessor, CityXGuide quickly became a digital brothel, hosting “hundreds of thousands” of commercial sex advertisements globally. Prosecutors claim Martono knowingly turned a blind eye to the rampant trafficking occurring on his sites, ignoring warnings from federal, state, and local law enforcement about the presence of both sex trafficking and child exploitation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas is now desperately seeking victims of CityXGuide to come forward. They aren’t just looking for names; they need detailed accounts of the physical and mental trauma inflicted upon those advertised on the site. This information is crucial for securing court-ordered restitution and influencing the judge’s sentencing decision. The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Office, the United States Secret Service, and the Colleyville Police Department, has already identified several victims, including a 13-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl both identified in North Texas in 2019 and 2020 respectively. But authorities believe many more remain hidden.
The scope of the search extends beyond those explicitly listed on CityXGuide. Authorities are looking for anyone advertised on CityXGuide.com or related websites (including Cityxguide.net, Cityxguide.co, Cityxguide.be, Bodyrubshop.com, CAPleasures.com, or Backpage.co), as well as adults who were subjected to force, threats, or coercion during their involvement. The feds are emphasizing that victims are entitled to rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA), including the right to be heard at sentencing and treated with dignity and respect.
Prosecutors are building a case to ensure Martono faces significant consequences for his crimes. While the plea agreement details remain sealed, the potential for a lengthy prison sentence is clear. This case isn’t just about one man; it’s about dismantling a business model that profited from human suffering. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has set up a dedicated webpage – https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/united-states-v-wilhan-martono-cityxguide – for victims to submit information and learn more about their rights.
The North Texas Trafficking Task Force continues to investigate, attempting to piece together the full extent of the damage caused by CityXGuide. This plea, while a victory, is only one step in a much larger battle against the insidious world of online sex trafficking. For those seeking assistance or information on human trafficking, resources are available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
Related Federal Cases
- Wyndham Corporation, Sex Trafficking, USA, 2023 · Washington
- Naomi Ruth Smith, Child Sex Trafficking, M.D. Florida, 2023 · Texas
- Marcus Deshawn Wright Sentenced to Life Terms for Sex Trafficking o… · Maryland
- David Allen Vickers, Sex Trafficking of Minors, Buffalo NY, 2023 · Texas
- Juan Francisco Saenz-Tamez, Texas Drug Trafficking, Beaumont TX, 2023 · New Mexico
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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