In a shocking revelation of cruelty and exploitation, Justin Dixon, a known member of the Staten Island Crips gang, has admitted to his role in the dark underbelly of Brooklyn’s sex trade. Dixon, 28, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of coercion, enticement of a minor, and illegal firearm possession, marking a grim chapter in the ongoing battle against sex trafficking in New York City.
Dixon’s guilty plea was entered before United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II, who will soon determine the fate of the man who exploited some of the city’s most vulnerable. Facing a minimum of 10 years and potentially life behind bars, Dixon’s confession paints a chilling picture of life on the “Penn Track,” an area in East New York notorious for such criminal activities.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace didn’t mince words when he stated, “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.” Peace also thanked the Richmond County DA’s Office for their assistance in the case.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy described Dixon’s actions as a “twisted ruse” to groom victims into sexual servitude, emphasizing the FBI’s commitment to protecting the innocent from financial predators.
The investigation revealed that Dixon not only coerced a 14-year-old girl, referred to as Jane Doe, into prostitution but also subjected her and other women to a life of servitude under his roof in Staten Island. The conditions were degrading; the women were forced to remain unclothed, perform household chores, and were met with violence if they resisted Dixon’s tyrannical rules.
Dixon’s manipulation extended to grooming his victims through social media, promising one victim plastic surgery to alter her appearance to suit his illicit business. This case sheds light on the grim reality faced by many at the “Penn Track,” where human dignity is often the currency for profit.
NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon praised the collaborative effort of law enforcement, stating, “Today’s guilty plea sends a powerful message that crimes against our most vulnerable population will not be tolerated in our city.”
The evidence against Dixon was solidified when authorities, during a raid, found a defaced Ruger LCP .380 caliber handgun in a vehicle he used to ferry his victims to their grim work, adding the charge of felon in possession of a firearm to his list of crimes.