New York news media is reporting that Michael Howell, a 65-year-old Barbadian, has been convicted on multiple charges of sex trafficking, promoting prostitution and drug possession.
In one report, Howell is referred to as a “violent migrant pimp” who was convicted of forcing a Long Island sex worker into a sleazy hotel rendezvous by beating her up and plying her with crack and heroin.
Howell is expected to be sentenced for his crimes on September 26 and faces up to 25 years in prison.
The United States Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer to take custody of Howell for deportation to Barbados after he completes his prison sentence.
Howell advertised the unidentified woman’s services online from April 2023 through February 2024 and then pocketed the cash from the meet-ups in Suffolk and Nassau counties, the New York Post reported.
Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney is quoted as saying: “Michael Howell preyed upon his victim by using crack, heroin and violence to maintain control over her in order to profit from her exploitation.
“The use of addictive substances to keep trafficking victims dependent and compliant is a particularly cruel tactic employed by human traffickers.
Large amount of cocaine
The sex trafficker was found guilty on Tuesday in Suffolk County Supreme Court after his arrest on February with fentanyl and a large amount of cocaine on him.
The trial was before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis and Howell was found guilty on the following counts: Two counts of sex trafficking (Class B felonies) Promoting prostitution in the second degree (Class C felony).
Promoting prostitution in the third degree (Class D felony).
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree (Class C felony).
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (Class A misdemeanor).
The prosecutor revealed that Howell, who lived in Brooklyn, would become violent when the woman resisted – and he once slammed her head into a wall. He facilitated the trafficking operation by renting hotel rooms and posting advertisements featuring the victim on websites commonly used for prostitution.
Suffolk officials said they have been grappling with what they have described as one of the worst human trafficking crises in the country.
“We are in the top 20th percentile for human trafficking in the nation. This is a distinction that no county would want to have,” Deputy County Executive Sylvia Diaz said in February.
County Executive Ed Romaine has since rolled out “Operation Safe & Last Return,” aimed at breaking down barriers between agencies to improve coordination and better track missing people before they’re lured into exploitation by traffickers.
The initiative came in wake of a high-profile case involving a 14-year-old girl from East Patchogue who was allegedly kidnapped and found on a boat in Islip nearly a month later, with more than a dozen people facing criminal charges in the case. (AC)
