Eric Jefferson, a 41-year-old resident of Pittsburgh, has been given a 25-year prison sentence after being found guilty of sex trafficking charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania made the announcement on January 31st.
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek emphasized that safeguarding the most vulnerable individuals in our community will always remain a top priority for the FBI.
“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community will always be among the highest priorities for the FBI,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek.
“The message this sentencing send is clear: the FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue criminals who think they can prey on others.”
The department has confirmed that Jefferson resorted to violence and made threats of violence in order to coerce the women.
Department officials have stated that Jefferson’s actions involved exploiting vulnerable individuals through coercion, violence, and drug dependency. This highlights the urgent need for robust prosecution in cases of human trafficking.
“Eric Jefferson forced these women to earn money on his behalf, controlling the victims both through physical force and exploiting their dependence upon narcotics,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti.
“Working with our law enforcement partners, we will aggressively prosecute human traffickers such as Jefferson in order to protect and rescue the most vulnerable victims in our district.”
