ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Matthew “Stacks" Woods, 32, of Indiana, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 8 to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by means of force, threats, fraud and coercion and aiding and abetting. Woods will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Woods and his co-conspirators, Cornelius “Chip" Galloway, and Marcus “Taylor Made" Taylor, were charged in a superseding indictment on Dec. 3, 2019, with seven counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking. The charges included two counts of sex trafficking of minors.
In his plea agreement, Woods admitted to his part in the conspiracy to recruit, maintain, advertise, and transport victims for the purpose of prostitution. The victims were expected to work when they were told, with no say over their hours, fees or the locations in which they were to perform sex acts. The victims were not allowed to keep any of the money paid for their services.
According to the plea, Galloway was the leader of the organization, Taylor transported the victims, and Woods physically punished victims for non-compliance.
Woods faces 15 to 18 years in prison, up to lifetime supervised release, and will be required to register as a sex offender. His sentencing date has not been set.
Galloway pleaded guilty on March 17, 2020, and was sentenced on Aug. 4, 2020, to 17 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Taylor pleaded guilty on May 21, 2020 and was sentenced on May 21, 2021 to eight years in prison followed by 10 years supervised release. Both are required to register as sex offenders.
The Homeland Security Investigations and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack E. Burkhead and Letitia C. Simms are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
