A man from Jefferson, Texas, has been convicted of federal sex trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Corey Lamar Johnson, aged 42, was found guilty on all counts after a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker. The jury convicted him of two counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation, three counts of interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, and conspiracy to violate the Travel Act. Johnson's co-defendants, Jessica Smith and Rachel Walker, had previously pleaded guilty to related charges.
Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin Jr. commented on the verdict: "Congratulations to the team who brought Corey Johnson to a well-deserved appointment with justice," adding that the case highlighted the importance of rescuing the oppressed and protecting those unable to protect themselves.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated: "The defendant used violence and threats of violence to compel his victims to engage in commercial sex for his profit." Dhillon emphasized that such conduct has no place in society and reaffirmed the Justice Department's commitment to punishing human trafficking.
Johnson was initially indicted on June 15, 2023, along with two co-conspirators by a federal grand jury. They were charged with various offenses including sex trafficking conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Johnson trafficked young women across the United States using force and coercion. He recruited vulnerable women through social media by promising them a lavish lifestyle but resorted to violence when they attempted to leave.
Johnson faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and could receive up to life imprisonment at sentencing. The court will determine his sentence based on advisory guidelines after a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by several law enforcement agencies including the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert A. Wells and James Mack Noble IV among others.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about human trafficking to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline available 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888 or visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org for more information.
