John E. Childress Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana
A federal jury in Indianapolis has convicted Kristopher McDonald, 37, on eight counts related to his operation of a human and drug trafficking enterprise known as "The Kristopher McDonald Organization." The charges include murder in aid of racketeering, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, enticing an individual to travel interstate for prostitution, and engaging in unlawful activities through interstate travel.
Court documents reveal that McDonald led the trafficking operation in Indianapolis. He recruited women from various states for commercial sex work and maintained control over them through violence and manipulation. McDonald was responsible for all aspects of the criminal enterprise, including collecting proceeds from sex acts and using violence to intimidate clients and exploited women.
McDonald provided crack cocaine to the women to foster addiction and dependency. He also employed physical violence and threats of death against those who did not meet financial expectations or refused to perform sex acts frequently.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), IRS, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). U.S. District Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt presided over the trial. A sentencing date for McDonald will be determined later.
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress expressed gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley Blackington and Michelle P. Brady for prosecuting the case.
