CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The FBI’s I-81 Human Trafficking Task Force has charged William Oneil Murray III, 35, of Maryland, with multiple counts related to sex trafficking and exploitation. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, announced the indictment, which includes three counts of sex trafficking through force, fraud, and coercion, one count of transporting individuals for prostitution, and one count of using interstate facilities to facilitate prostitution.
Murray was indicted for running a multi-state sex trafficking operation from as early as 2016 through July 2022, involving at least five adult female victims. He exploited his victims’ drug dependencies to control them, only allowing them to obtain narcotics through him, thereby gaining complete control over their addictions.
To coerce his victims into commercial sex work, Murray would withhold drugs, causing them to experience severe withdrawal symptoms. He maintained strict control over their activities, restricting their movements, and confiscating their cell phones. Murray monitored communications between the victims and commercial sex customers, ensuring they had no contact outside his operation.
The criminal activities spanned across several states, including Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
The case highlights the severe exploitation of vulnerable individuals through drug dependency and the complex nature of human trafficking operations. The FBI’s I-81 Human Trafficking Task Force and the Virginia State Police are leading the investigation, demonstrating the collaborative efforts of federal and state law enforcement in addressing human trafficking crimes.