Detroit Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison on Sex Trafficking Charges

A Detroit resident was sentenced today to 240 months in federal prison after having been convicted by a federal jury in January 2020 on charges of sex trafficking using force and coercion, distribution of controlled substances, and maintaining a drug premises, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.

Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

Sentenced was Richard Knider Jackson, 71, of Detroit.  Jackson was convicted following a 5-day jury trial before United States District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III.  The jury deliberated approximately 2 hours before returning their verdicts.

Jackson was also convicted of distribution of heroin and crack cocaine and maintaining a drug premises.

Evidence presented at the trial established that a woman called 911 in 2016 pleading for help. When Detroit Police responded, the officers quickly determined that the location was used for human trafficking. In the home, officers observed a house in complete disrepair, with signs of intravenous drug use throughout the home. Defendant had installed a security gate within the home at the top of the stairs.

“This defendant treated his victims like a commodity,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Mohsin.  “He targeted vulnerable women and exploited them for his own profit and fueled their drug addictions by providing them with heroin and crack cocaine.  We hope that today’s sentence offers these victims a sense of justice and closure and also raises awareness that sex traffickers are exploiting victims in our communities."

The case was investigated by special agents of the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara D. Woodward and Barbara Lanning.