Daniel P. Bubar Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina
A Raleigh woman has been sentenced to 216 months in prison for her involvement in sex trafficking a minor and producing child pornography. Brieania Shidae Pinnock, aged 23, pled guilty to the charges on August 15, 2024.
The case came to light on June 23, 2022, when law enforcement received a report about a missing juvenile. That same night, officers responded to a suspected overdose at the Budgetel Inn and Suites in Raleigh. The overdose victim was identified as the missing 12-year-old girl, who was revived and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Investigations revealed that the victim had been advertised for commercial sex on two websites with false claims of being 19 years old. These advertisements included multiple nude photographs of the minor. Further investigation showed that Pinnock collaborated with an accomplice, Trinity Sky Alston, in these activities. Phone messages between Pinnock and Alston confirmed their awareness of the victim's true age and their arrangements for her involvement in commercial sex.
A forensic examination of Pinnock’s phone uncovered numerous images of child pornography, including original photos of the victim taken on June 16, 2022, at Alston’s residence in Goldsboro.
Trinity Sky Alston pled guilty on March 13, 2024, to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion of a minor; sex trafficking of children age 13 years old or younger; and aiding and abetting. Alston is set for sentencing in April.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the sentencing following proceedings by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Raleigh Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted investigations while Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Peaden prosecuted the case.
Further court documents can be accessed via the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or through PACER by searching Case No. 5:23-cr-00210-FL-1.
