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Press Release
Press Release
Defendant Prostituted 17-Year-Old Girls in Metro Atlanta and Montgomery, Ala.
ATLANTA - Demario Hillmon was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison on charges of sex trafficking of a minor and transporting a minor across state lines for prostitution.
“This case is another example of a successful investigation and prosecution of a man who took advantage of vulnerable young girls by making false promises to lure them into prostitution,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
“Today’s sentencing is the result of the great partnership HSI has with law enforcement in Georgia in our unyielding resolve to bring sex traffickers to justice,” said Brock D. Nicholson, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta. “Trafficking children for sex is one the most deplorable crimes our HSI special agents investigate. My agency is committed to protecting those who cannot protect themselves.”
“Working with our local and federal law enforcement counterparts to investigate child sex trafficking and bring those responsible for exploiting children to justice is a priority for the GBI,” said Vernon Keenan, GBI Director.
“I would like to commend U.S. Attorney Sally Yates, her staff, and all the law enforcement partners for the investigations, apprehension and conviction of this most dangerous person in our society,” said DeKalb County Police Chief Cedric L. Alexander.
“The successful outcome of this case would not have been possible without the cooperation of all local, state and federal agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case. This is another shining example of how well law enforcement in Georgia work together to protect our citizens,” said Billy Grogan, Chief of Police for the City of Dunwoody.
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: Hillmon met young girls on “Tagged.com,” a social networking website, and on “Backpage.com,” an adult escort website. Hillmon enticed the victims to engage in prostitution by false promises of money and gifts. He then advertised the girls on internet websites and arranged for men to engage in commercial sex acts with them in and around metro Atlanta, and in Montgomery, Ala. Hillmon kept most of the money for himself.
Law enforcement officers discovered Hillmon’s sex trafficking after the family of one of the 17-year-old girls reported her as a runaway. Hapeville Police Department officers, with the assistance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, located the girl. In the process, the investigators uncovered Hillmon’s sex trafficking operation, and also identified and recovered another 17-year-old victim.
Hillmon, 30, of Douglasville, Ga., was sentenced by United States District Judge Julie E. Carnes to 10 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Hillmon was convicted of these charges on April 8, 2013, upon his plea of guilty.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Detectives of the Hapeville Police Department, Dunwoody Police Department, and DeKalb County Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Katherine M. Hoffer prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.