Ukranian National Sentenced To 7 Months For Human Trafficking Offense

MOBILE, AL – Taras Kosmirak, age 35, was sentenced on October 9, 2025, for Transportation of an Individual to Engage in Prostitution.

According to court documents, a Soviet-born Russian citizen provided law enforcement with information that she was aware of an individual who manages a human trafficking organization in Brooklyn, New York.  During her work with law enforcement, the Russian citizen began communicating with this person to see if they would employ her to work as a sex worker for her. The individual in New York agreed that the Russian could come work for her as a commercial sex worker.  The individual in New York arranged for Kosmirak to come and pick up the Russian citizen and bring her to New York.  The Russian citizen then began communicating directly with Kosmirak.  He explained travel information and coordinated a pick-up location.  On March 14, 2025, Kosmirak arrived at the pick-up location in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Law enforcement officers apprehended Kosmirak at the pick-up location.

Kosmirak has been in custody since March 14, 2025.  Judge Moorer imposed a time-served sentence. Kosmirak will be placed on a 5-year term of supervised release after incarceration, will be required to register as a sex offender, and will be referred to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations, Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources