Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Houston man, Michael Ramone Hooks, aged 25, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei following Hooks' guilty plea on September 27, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake imposed the sentence after considering letters from victims. In addition to the prison term, Hooks is required to pay $6,087 in restitution and will be on supervised release for ten years post-incarceration with restrictions aimed at limiting his access to children and the internet. He will also register as a sex offender.
Hooks admitted to using social media platforms such as Instagram, along with text messages and video calls, to recruit a 16-year-old girl into prostitution. He communicated via cell phone with her and attempted to lure her away from another trafficker known as Antonio Dario Osario-Avelar or "Pressure." Prior communications revealed that Hooks was aware of the victim's age.
The authorities arrested Hooks in August 2023 before he could meet up with the victim again. Previously, Osario-Avelar had been sentenced to over 31 years in federal prison for related offenses.
“This case is a reminder that sex trafficking is happening in our city,” stated Ganjei. “Our larger goal is nothing short of putting the Houston sex trafficking trade completely out of business.”
Hooks remains in custody awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility yet to be determined.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations alongside the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA) and Houston Police Department (HPD). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Celia Moyer and former AUSA Sherri Zack.
HTRA includes members from multiple law enforcement agencies working together since its establishment in 2004 by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Houston. It aims at targeting human traffickers while providing services for victims.
