Steven Gonzalez, also known as Steven Hernandez, Steve, Stevie, or Unc, has been sentenced to 240 months in prison for sex trafficking by coercion. This verdict was delivered by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced.
Gonzalez's activities spanned from 2012 to March 2015 and involved the coercion of minors for commercial sex acts. According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel L. Violanti, Caitlin M. Higgins, Joseph Tripi, and Joshua Violanti, one victim, identified as A.N., was provided cocaine to satisfy an addiction, which Gonzalez exploited to maintain control and force participation in sex acts.
During 2012 and 2013, another victim, identified as B.E., was similarly manipulated with heroin, which was exchanged for sex acts under similar circumstances.
Gonzalez's sentencing serves as a significant legal development in the fight against sex trafficking of minors.
