A California man has been indicted on charges of sex trafficking and illegal firearms possession after he engaged in a rolling shootout in Seattle.
A federal grand jury indicted Winston Cornell Burt, nicknamed "Dice Capone," 31, of Hemet, Calif., on four charges related to his activities as a sex trafficker, according to an April 26 news release. He faces two charges of illegally possessing firearms, two counts of sex trafficking through coercion, fraud and force as well as transporting an adult female for prostitution.
“The level of violence in this case is stunning – brutal beatings of young women, threats with firearms, emotional and physical control of every aspect of the victims’ lives,” U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said in the release. “I commend the Seattle Police Department and King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for working quickly to get Mr. Burt in custody, thus ensuring the immediate safety of the victim and the community.”
Burt was arrested Nov. 6, 2022, after he engaged in an armed car chase, pursuing and shooting at one of his victims who was being driven by a man who had picked her up from the road, the release reported. The 20-year-old woman accused Burt of viciously abusing her after she said she didn't want to work for him any more.
According to court documents, Burt had led a sex trafficking operation in California, Arizona, and Washington, the release said. His victims are required to give him all of the earnings from their sex work and have his name tattooed on their face as a sign of ownership.
The victim in this case says she was brutally beaten by Burt at a south Seattle Airbnb Nov. 2, 2022, after told him she didn't want to work for him any more, according to the release. She reportedly tried to escape from him Nov. 5, 2022, but was stopped by Burt and two other women working for him who forced her into a car and began to take her to a motel on north Aurora Avenue.
The victim was able to get out of the vehicle and stayed in road until a passing Uber driver saw her in distress and picked her up, the release reported. Burt allegedly gave chase and fired shots at the van with the victim and driver inside. The driver was able to escape from Burt and eventually called the Washington State Patrol for assistance.
Officers took the victim to Harborview Medical Center for treatment, the release said.
Burt has been at the King County Jail since his arrest, according to the release. He faces up to 15 years in prison for charges of transportation of an adult female for prostitution through coercion and enticement, and 10 years for charges of illegal possession of a firearm.
