November 14, 2014

Cincinnati, Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

LOUISVILLE, KY—A Cincinnati, OH, man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to multiple charges including commercial sex trafficking, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky David J. Hale.

Christopher Hisle, 45, was arrested on April 8, 2014, in Louisville, Kentucky after he drove a young woman from Cincinnati to Louisville to engage in prostitution at the Red Roof Inn on Blairwood Road. A subsequent FBI investigation revealed Hisle’s involvement in forcing and compelling multiple young women to engage in commercial sex.

Hisle pleaded guilty before Senior District Court Judge John G. Heyburn II today to a four-count federal indictment including one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, two counts of enticing a person to travel in interstate commerce for the purpose of prostitution and one count of interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution.

According to the plea agreement, Hisle physically assaulted several of the victims, including striking one of the victims in the face when she threatened to run away. Hisle locked the victims in his house in Cincinnati, by boarding and locking all the doors and windows. Only the front door was capable of opening, and only Hisle had the key to the front door, which locked on both sides allowing Hisle to lock the women in the house when he left. On one occasion, a young woman escaped, only to be found and brought back to the house by Hisle.

“This defendant preyed on vulnerable young victims and cruelly exploited them for his profit,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Our Constitution guarantees freedom from involuntary servitude and slavery to all members of our society, and we will continue to enforce our human trafficking laws to restore the rights, freedom and dignity to victims of modern-day slavery.”

“My office is committed to seeking justice for victims of human trafficking,” stated U.S. Attorney David J. Hale. “Tragically, these crimes so often pass without detection because victims live in fear from physical abuse, threats and other forms of coercion. My office has worked to improve detection and prosecution by sponsoring training for our federal and local law enforcement partners.”

“Sex Trafficking is a crime that victimizes people in a highly personal manner. Victims often feel as if they have no options and no hope. Detecting sex trafficking is essential to stopping it. The FBI works with State and Local partners to uncover this heinous crime. If you believe you are a victim of sex trafficking or may have information about a particular trafficking situation, please contact the FBI,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Howard S. Marshall.

Hisle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. Sentencing has been set for February 9, 2015 in Louisville. As part of his plea agreement, Hisle will pay restitution to 12 women identified as victims of Hisle’s human trafficking crimes.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda E. Gregory of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and is being investigated by the FBI.