Maryland Man Admits to Sex Trafficking

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - A Temple Hills, Maryland man has admitted to sex trafficking between Virginia and Martinsburg, West Virginia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.

Rodney Dale Johnson, 47, pled guilty today to sex trafficking. According to court documents and statements made in court, Johnson transported the victim from Virginia to Martinsburg, West Virginia to engage in sex acts at a hotel. Johnson used threats, threats of force, and coercion with the victim.

Johnson faces 15 years to life. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The FBI and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the West Virginia Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Trumble presided.