Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking Young Women Locally Irritates Federal Judge
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A New York man convicted of sex trafficking young women - from Philadelphia to Atlantic City and elsewhere - tried to explain his actions at sentencing, and did himself no favors.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Curtis Joyner heard from one of the two victims who testified at trial, then Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Morgan read aloud letters:
"Both mothers submitted victim impact statements talking about how the personalities and emotions of their daughters have changed so substantially, since being victimized by this defendant."
Morgan called 40-year old Justin Williams "an egregious, violent offender, who beat them into submission, trading human flesh for money that went only to him."
Williams was convicted last September of two counts of sex trafficking by force, and one count of witness tampering, for writing a letter to "victim #2" as she was referred, to retract her statement prior to trial.
But Williams insisted he didn't make anybody do anything, he "never hurt" any of the victims, and they were "crazy allegations that popped out of the woodwork."
Judge Joyner finally cut him off, saying he was neither remorseful nor willing to take responsibility for his conduct, and he sentenced Williams to 30 years in prison.