Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice | Official Website
A federal jury in the Middle District of Alabama has convicted Kimani Jones, 32, also known as “Statik,” and Tremayne Lambert, 50, also known as “Bayrock,” both from Montgomery, Alabama, on multiple charges related to sex trafficking. The verdict follows a four-day trial during which evidence showed that Jones compelled seven victims—including two minors—to engage in commercial sex acts between August 2016 and November 2020. The jury also found that Jones transported two victims across state lines for prostitution purposes. Lambert was found guilty of sex trafficking one victim between August 2017 and February 2018 and two other victims between July 2019 and November 2020.
Three additional co-defendants previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the enterprise.
“The defendants targeted vulnerable women and girls before using physical and sexual violence, along with threats of violence against them and others, to create a climate of fear that terrified the victims,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to vindicating the rights of human trafficking victims and enforcing the federal human trafficking laws, and this prosecution is a testament to the courageous young women who detailed the coercive scheme these defendants perpetrated for years on scores of women and girls.”
“These defendants exploited the vulnerabilities of women and young girls for their own profit, showing complete disregard for human dignity,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson. “Every victim deserves justice, and we will continue our efforts to ensure that those who prey on others are held accountable for their crimes.”
During the trial, it was shown that Jones led an extensive commercial sex operation by renting hotel rooms where acts occurred; providing food, clothing, and drugs to victims; creating online advertisements; communicating with customers about services; dictating where victims would work; setting daily earning requirements; and subsisting off their earnings rather than holding lawful employment. He often displayed money earned from these activities on social media.
Evidence indicated Jones used significant violence against his victims—such as choking a minor victim for moving too slowly—and routinely struck women in ways that caused serious injuries including lost teeth or broken jaws. He sexually assaulted them to maintain control and threatened harm to them or their family members if they did not comply. One example included threatening a victim’s son by saying he would be unable to play sports if his legs were broken. With a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Jones further intimidated victims by brandishing or firing guns around them. He also manipulated drug withdrawal symptoms among his victims to maintain control over them.
Lambert—Jones’ biological father who also has a prior conviction as a felon in possession of a firearm—supported his son’s operation by monitoring victims and enforcing rules.
In addition to Jones and Lambert’s convictions:
- Joseph Keon Bowe (39) pleaded guilty to sex trafficking,
- Daryle Gardner (32) pleaded guilty to sex trafficking,
- Aleccia Scott (29) pleaded guilty to misprision of felony.
Both main defendants face at least 15 years up to life imprisonment plus mandatory restitution upon sentencing by a federal judge following consideration under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (DHS-HSI), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Montgomery Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Ratz (Middle District of Alabama) alongside Trial Attorney Kate Alexander (Civil Rights Division Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit) are prosecuting this case.
Individuals with information about human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org for resources on recognizing or reporting suspected activity. Additional details regarding Justice Department efforts are available at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
