James Anthony Stinson, age 55, of Spokane, Washington was sentenced on March 18 to 30 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $28,000 in restitution after being convicted of eleven felonies related to sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of firearms. The sentence also includes ten years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case highlights the serious impact that drug distribution and illegal firearm possession can have on communities. According to First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano, "The sentence imposed here reflects the seriousness of Stinson’s actions. Crimes involving drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession are devastating to our communities. Mr. Stinson distributed controlled substances and exploited and coerced, through violence or the threat of violence, multiple vulnerable women to engage in sex work. He took advantage of these women’s addiction and other personal vulnerabilities for his own benefit. Mr. Stinson is a violent predator with a lengthy criminal history, and I am grateful for the work of many law enforcement partners whose efforts led to Mr. Stinson being taken off the streets.”
Evidence presented during trial showed that an investigation into Stinson began in 2021 after several controlled purchases of crack cocaine from his hotel room in Spokane Valley. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at adjoining hotel rooms used by Stinson where they found distribution quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl pills, illegally possessed firearms as well as evidence suggesting use for sex trafficking activities. Video surveillance cameras installed by Stinson recorded activities inside the rooms; further digital evidence included videos showing him threatening or beating victims he trafficked along with messages indicating ongoing coercion.
Stinson had prior convictions including delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine) for which he served over ten years before release in 2011; another federal conviction followed in 2012 related to unlawful firearm possession resulting in another ten-year sentence.
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge at FBI Seattle field office said: “As this investigation into Mr. Stinson progressed it revealed even more crimes all harmful to the public... This case highlights the importance of the FBI’s Spokane Child Exploitation/Human Trafficking Task Force which was instrumental in bringing Mr. Stinson to justice and is an effective asset in keeping our Eastern Washington communities safe.”
The multi-jurisdictional investigation involved cooperation between FBI's task force with local sheriff's office and police department; prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca R. Perez and Lisa Cartier-Giroux.
