Staten Island man sentenced to 15 years for forcing 14-year-old girl into street prostitution.
A Staten Island man who exploited a 14-year-old girl as part of a sex trafficking operation has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Justin Dixon, age 34, was convicted on charges of coercion and enticement of a minor, as well as possession of a firearm by a federal felon. His sentencing was delivered by Brooklyn Federal Court Judge William Kuntz.
The case uncovered disturbing details about the treatment of the vulnerable young girl and two other women under Dixon’s control. Prosecutors revealed that Dixon forced the teenager and the other women to live in his Staten Island home, where they were ordered to serve him by performing daily chores and personal care. Notably, the young girl was compelled to engage in prostitution along an area in Brooklyn known as “Penn Track,” a notorious open-air sex market located off Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York. Dixon demanded that she give him the money earned from her interactions with clients.
The investigation into Dixon’s activities began when law enforcement received a tip regarding his exploitation of the minor. On January 26, 2023, just four days after he took the girl to his home, the FBI raided the residence. Details from the federal prosecutors revealed a harrowing environment where Dixon was physically abusive towards the girl, even slapping her for perceived insubordination and making degrading comments about her appearance. Additionally, he forced her to consume excessive food to gain weight and coerced her into taking pills aimed at increasing her appetite, while making troubling statements about future surgical alterations to her body.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella characterized Dixon’s actions as marked by extreme violence and a lack of compassion, emphasizing that the sentencing serves to hold him accountable for the grave harm inflicted on women and children in vulnerable circumstances. Although the prosecution recommended a sentence of 15 to 18 years, Dixon’s defense attorney argued that the severity of his actions was less egregious than those of other known traffickers operating in the same area.
Dixon’s case further highlights the pervasive issue of human trafficking, particularly of minors, and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat this critical societal problem. Following the sentencing, the FBI reaffirmed its commitment to addressing trafficking and ensuring the safety of the most vulnerable populations. The outcome of this case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by human traffickers and the need for vigilant monitoring of such activities within communities.
