A Brooklyn man has been convicted of sex trafficking a woman on Long Island, authorities said this week.
Michael Howell, 65, was found guilty Tuesday on two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of promoting prostitution and two counts of drug possession, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said in a press release Wednesday.
Howell forced an unnamed woman to engage in sex acts for money throughout Suffolk County between April 2023 and February 2024, the month he was arrested, according to authorities. He used threats of violence and illegal drugs to ensure the victim’s compliance.
“Michael Howell preyed upon his victim by using crack, heroin and violence to maintain control over her in order to profit from her exploitation,” said District Attorney Ray Tierney. “The use of addictive substances to keep trafficking victims dependent and compliant is a particularly cruel tactic employed by human traffickers.”
Howell posted on various websites advertising the victim as a prostitute, investigators said. He gave her crack cocaine and heroin while taking the money for himself, according to police.
In at least one instance, Howell slammed the woman’s head into a wall when she tried to escape, authorities said.
Howell’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 26. He faces up to 25 years in prison. Additionally, Howell is a native of Barbados, and federal authorities intend to deport him when he completes his sentence.
