Staten Island Crips Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Press Release

Defendant Trafficked a 14-Year-Old Girl at the "Penn Track" Sex Market in Brooklyn

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Justin Dixon pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II. When sentenced, Dixon faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Thomas G. Donlon, Interim Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty plea.

"With today's guilty plea, the defendant has added directing the prostitution of a minor and being a felon in possession of a firearm to his criminal history, and he will face the consequences for his lack of respect for the law," stated United States Attorney Peace. "The Penn Track is a blight on our district, and predators like the defendant who operate there are going to be held accountable by my Office and our law enforcement partners for their ruthless exploitation of women and minors."

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Richmond County District Attorney's Office for their assistance during the investigation.

"Justin Dixon trafficked a 14-year-old girl, along with several other women, for commercial sex and issued violent punishments to ensure adherence to his demeaning rules. Dixon's twisted ruse allowed him to groom victims before forcing them into sexual servitude on the infamous Penn Track where profits are valued over bodily autonomy. The FBI will continue its mission apprehending predators who prey upon innocent populations out of financial greed," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.

"Today's guilty plea sends a powerful message that crimes against our most vulnerable population, our children, will not be tolerated in our city," stated NYPD Interim Commissioner Donlon. "It also reaffirms the unwavering dedication of law enforcement to ensure public safety for all New Yorkers. I commend our investigators, as well as our partners at the FBI and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, for their relentless efforts in combating the scourge of sex trafficking. Their determination to hold Mr. Dixon accountable for his actions and to obtain justice for the survivors of these horrific crimes is truly commendable."

As set forth in court filings, in January 2023, Dixon used violence and threats of violence to compel a 14-year-old minor (Jane Doe) to engage in commercial sex for the defendant's financial benefit. Dixon transported the minor victim-as well as other women-to an area in East New York, Brooklyn near Pennsylvania Avenue, which is known as the "Penn Track" or the "Blade." Dixon forced Jane Doe and other women to engage in prostitution and demanded that the proceeds of their sex work be turned over to him. Any resistance from the victims was met with violence. During this time period, the defendant was affiliated with the Crips street gang.

Dixon used social media and other internet applications to establish relationships with potential victims, groom them and manipulate them into working for him as prostitutes. Jane Doe was forced to live in a Staten Island house, along with Dixon and other women. Dixon required that Jane Doe and the other women clean the house, cook for him and bathe him. Dixon would not allow the women to be clothed inside the house and would physically punish the women if they disobeyed any of these rules.

Dixon called Jane Doe "tiny," and told her that she needed to eat more food in order to look older than her age. The defendant also told Jane Doe that he was arranging a trip to Florida for her to have plastic surgery, including breast implants, to make her appear older.

Prior to his arrest, Dixon brandished firearms in the presence of Jane Doe and other victims. In January 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant in connection with the investigation and recovered a defaced Ruger LCP .380 caliber handgun inside a vehicle used by Dixon to transport Jane Doe and other women to the Penn Track. Prior to possessing this firearm, Dixon had a felony conviction.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

The government's case is being handled by the Office's Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States <_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Attorney" datavalue="Attorney"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Attorneys" datavalue="Attorneys"> Attorney Lorena Michelen is in charge of the prosecution.

The <_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Defendant" datavalue="Defendant"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Defendants" datavalue="Defendants">Defendant:

JUSTIN DIXON
Age: 33
Staten Island, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-090 (WFK)

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Updated November 15, 2024