In El Paso today, a federal judge sentenced 29–year-old David Milner of El Paso to 15 years in federal prison for implementing a human sex trafficking scheme announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez, El Paso Division; and, FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.
United States District Judge Frank Montalvo also ordered that Milner be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term.
On August 9, 2016, Milner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to sex traffic persons. By pleading guilty, Milner admitted that from September 2013 to August 2015, he conspired to coerce, entice and recruit women—including a 16-year-old female—to engage in commercial sex acts for his financial gain. Milner admitted to posting information on Backpage.com advertising the minor and other females for commercial sex.
“This sentence sends a clear message about how seriously HSI and its law enforcement partners take human trafficking cases,” said Waldemar Rodriguez, special agent in charge of HSI El Paso. “HSI will continue to employ its ample law enforcement authorities to eradicate sex trafficking. Our hope is that it will also serve to encourage trafficking victims to come forward to help law enforcement hold these traffickers accountable, and protect other potential victims of human trafficking.”
“The El Paso FBI is committed to aggressively investigating all federal crimes involving the exploitation and victimization of children. This sentence was the result of significant teamwork,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist.
This case resulted from an investigation conducted by the HSI and the FBI with assistance from the El Paso Police Department—Gang Unit and the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Rifian Newaz and Patricia Acosta prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.