Antonio Marquis Nicholson and Terrell Counts, both 33, have pleaded guilty to charges related to human trafficking and coercion of minors in Columbia, South Carolina. The charges stem from their involvement in a conspiracy that exploited three minor victims for commercial sex activities between December 2022 and August 2023.
Court evidence identified Nicholson as the leader of the operation. He recruited minors, including a runaway, transported them across state lines, and introduced them to commercial sex work. Nicholson provided lingerie, took photographs, posted online advertisements for commercial sex acts, instructed the minors to lie about their age, and took a significant portion of the proceeds. Advertisements were placed targeting areas such as the Midlands, Upstate South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, and Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Nicholson maintained control over the victims through force and threats. He reportedly pointed a firearm at one victim and threatened harm if they attempted to leave.
Counts played a supportive role in the operation by managing activities when Nicholson was absent. He was involved in taking photographs for advertisements, transferring money from customers to the conspiracy members, dividing proceeds, and ensuring security during transactions. Counts also provided condoms and transportation for the minor victims.
Both Nicholson and Counts face potential life sentences along with fines up to $250,000. They will be subject to lifetime supervision following imprisonment and must register as sex offenders. Restitution payments to victims are part of their plea agreements.
U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon accepted their guilty pleas; sentencing will occur after reviewing reports from the U.S. Probation Office. Co-defendants Monesha Gary and Rebecca Perry have also pleaded guilty but await sentencing.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation nationwide. It involves collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
The investigation was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and various local police departments across South Carolina with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Ariyana N. Gore prosecuting.
