New York Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking Females

PHILADELPHIA—Justin Williams, a/k/a “New York Ice," a/k/a “Pimp Juice," 39, of New York, New York, was convicted today of sex trafficking young women. Between November 2011 and January 2012, Williams recruited young females to work as prostitutes in his business who were advertised on the Internet for purchase, using locations such as Backpage, for purposes of prostitution. Williams engaged in acts of physical violence to force the victims to remain in his business. The advertisements featured pictures of the victims, scantily clad; the price; and a phone number to call to arrange a meeting with a female. Williams forced the victims to engage in sex acts with clients.

Williams exploited at least three females ranging in age from 18 to 27. He moved them between Philadelphia, New York, Atlantic City, and Washington, D.C., for purposes of prostitution. He was convicted on two counts of sex trafficking by force and one count of witness tampering for writing a letter to Victim #2 to retract her statement prior to trial.

Williams faces a 15-year mandatory minimum prison sentence on the sex trafficking counts with a maximum sentence of life. U.S. District Court Judge J. Curtis Joyner scheduled a sentencing hearing for January 23, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Arlington (Virginia) County Police Department, with assistance from the Philadelphia First Judicial Court Warrant Unit and the New York City Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Morgan.