A Washington State man, Dominique Terrel Gonzales, 35, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court in Tacoma and was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Gonzales operated out of residences in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, Washington, as well as short-term rentals on the East Coast while forcing young women into prostitution.
During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle remarked that Gonzales “engaged in monstrous activity that profoundly affected a number of people.” He emphasized the lasting impact on victims and their families due to Gonzales' actions.
Acting U.S. Attorney Miller stated that Gonzales used violence and emotional coercion to control vulnerable young women and teenagers estranged from their families. "He preyed upon teenagers and young women who were insecure," she said.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon noted that "today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for the criminal conduct he perpetrated for years within the Western District of Washington." She added that predators targeting vulnerable individuals face serious sanctions under federal law.
The investigation involved law enforcement agencies from Idaho, Southwest Washington, and Seattle. Records show that in August 2020, Gonzales trafficked a juvenile female across state lines to Portland for commercial sex acts.
Between 2016 and 2019, Gonzales also forced four adult women into prostitution using force and coercion. Some victims met him through online dating apps before being coerced into prostitution.
At his arrest, Gonzales was found illegally possessing a Desert Eagle 9mm semi-automatic pistol despite having three felony convictions prohibiting firearm possession: two counts of second-degree assault (domestic violence) from August 2014 and one count of unlawful imprisonment (domestic violence).
Prosecutors sought a 12-year prison sentence with 15 years supervised release citing Gonzales as "a manipulative, violent predator."
ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent Matthew Murphy commented on the sentencing as "a powerful reminder" against preying on vulnerable children through exploitation.
Judge Settle ordered a supervised release period of 15 years following Gonzales' prison term with restitution hearings scheduled for August 2025.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and ATF among others. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Crisham led prosecution efforts alongside Trial Attorney Jessica Arco from the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
Information about human trafficking can be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at any time via toll-free number or online resources provided by related organizations.
