Texas sex trafficker sentenced to 30 years in federal prison following HSI investigation

DALLAS - A Dallas man who trafficked nine young women was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison June 15, following an investigation led by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations Dallas.

Chase Anthony Young, 34, pleaded guilty in October to federal charges of sex trafficking through force, fraud or coercion. Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey imposed the sentence, marking a significant victory in the fight against human trafficking.

"This 30-year sentence sends a powerful message: Those who prey on vulnerable individuals and profit from their suffering will face the full force of justice," said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. "This case represents the tireless work of HSI Dallas and our partners to dismantle trafficking networks and restore hope to survivors. The courage shown by the victims, who endured unimaginable trauma and bravely shared their stories, has been instrumental in bringing this trafficker to account. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our communities, supporting survivors, and ensuring traffickers are held responsible for their crimes. No one should ever be silenced, and HSI will continue to fight for those whose voices deserve to be heard."

According to the investigation, Young's trafficking operation involved at least nine identified victims dating back to 2017. Young admitted to causing three adult victims to engage in commercial sex acts by force, threats, fraud or coercion. He placed online ads, rented hotel rooms, set pricing and rules, and took all proceeds from the victims' commercial sex acts. While Young profited, victims suffered violence, trauma and lasting scars.

At sentencing, a survivor's statement was read in court: "The trauma has affected every part of my life, my ability to trust, to build relationships, to feel safe, and believe in myself. But despite everything, I am here. I am learning to heal and find myself again. I am speaking now because he no longer has control over my voice. I will never be silenced EVER AGAIN."

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, a partnership that includes HSI, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office and the Internal Revenue Service.

The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting, the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

Anyone with information about human trafficking or related crimes should call the ICE tip line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423).

Learn more about this case here.