Case Law Database

Trafficking in persons

Offences

• Trafficking in children (under 18 years)

Acts Involved

• Recruitment/Hiring

Means Used

• Threat of the use of force or of other forms of coercion
• Deception
• Abuse of power or a position of vulnerability

Exploitative Purposes

• Exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation

Docket Number - 2:11cr193 [2013]

United States of America

Fact Summary

From 2006 to 2009, the defendant, Tyrone McMillian, trafficked five female victims (“victims”), four of whom were minors when they met the defendant.

At trial, the victims testified that the defendant forced them to give him their earnings from dancing and their “dates.”  They further testified that the defendant gave them fake identification and that he used Cragslist.com to recruit victims and also to post advertisements to recruit clients.  He also required the victims to call him “Daddy.”  One victim testified that the defendant was charming and that he promised to buy the victim her own car and house. 

Moreover, in addition to using Craiglist.com, the defendant used exotic dance clubs and private parties as a way of gaining clients.

After a six-day trial, a jury found the defendant guilty on seven of the eight sex trafficking charges brought against him.

Commentary and Significant Features

At the defendant’s sentencing hearing in this case, prosecutors introduced evidence that the defendant was involved in a February 2011 theft of more than $325,000 (USD) in protein supplements from a warehouse in Dallas, Texas.  The Internal Revenue Service took custody of money recovered by the Milwaukee Police Department, an automobile, and jewelry believed to have been purchased with the theft proceeds.  These items are subject to a separate forfeiture proceeding filed by the United States Attorney’s Office.
 
At the time the defendant was convicted in this trial, he faced separate charges in a different federal court case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition; these charges could add up to 10 years to his prison sentence.
Sentence Date:
2013-11-06
Author:
Human Trafficking Database of the University of Michigan Law School

Keywords

Acts:
Recruitment
Means:
Threat or use of force or other forms of coercion
Deception
Abuse of power or a position of vulnerability
Purpose of Exploitation:
Exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation
Form of Trafficking:
Internal
Sector in which exploitation takes place:
Commercial sexual exploitation

Cross-Cutting Issues

Liability

... for

• completed offence

... based on

• criminal intention
• criminal intention
• criminal intention

... as involves

• principal offender(s)

Investigation Procedure

Confiscation and Seizure

Seized Property

1.  Watch (worth $15,900 (USD))

 

Comments

1.  Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) working through the Milwaukee Human Trafficking Task Force;

2.  Milwaukee Police Department 

 

Procedural Information

Legal System:
Common Law
Latest Court Ruling:
Court of 1st Instance
Type of Proceeding:
Criminal

Date of decision: 6 June 2013 (conviction date)

References: Docket Number - 2:11cr193; 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10841

Other information:
The defendant was charged in a separate case for firearms possession and property purchased through proceeds of an alleged theft.  It is in the possession of the IRS and subject to separate forfeiture proceedings.

 
 

Victims / Plaintiffs in the first instance

Victim:
Anonymous Individuals
Gender:
Child
Nationality:
American

There are five female victims, all of whom were minors when they first met the defendant.

Defendants / Respondents in the first instance

Number of other accused:
1
Defendant:
Tyrone McMillian
Gender:
Male
Nationality:
American
Age:
31

The defendant was 31 years of age at the time of his sentencing.  

He is also known as "HK."

Legal Reasoning:

The jury rendered a guilty verdict after a six day jury trial. 

Charges / Claims / Decisions

Defendant:
Tyrone McMillian
Legislation / Statute / Code:
18 U.S.C. §1591
Charge details:
Sex Trafficking of Children by Force, Fraud, or Coercion
Verdict:
Guilty
Term of Imprisonment:
30 years
Compensation / Payment to Victim:
No 
Fine / Payment to State:
No 

Court

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Sources / Citations

Federal Judge Sentences Milwaukee Pimp to 30 years’ Imprisonment, FBI, Nov. 6, 2013, http://www.fbi.gov/milwaukee/press-releases/2013/federal-judge-sentences-milwaukee-pimp-to-30-years-imprisonment
Michigan database: http://www.law.umich.edu/clinical/HuTrafficCases/Pages/CaseDisp.aspx?caseID=720