An Atlanta man accused of sex trafficking got himself into more trouble after officials said he continued to harass his victims following his indictment.
According to U.S Attorney Byung Pak, Quintavious Obie, who also goes by Swayzii and Shank, was sentenced to 21 and a half years for engaging in sex trafficking and witness tampering. He was convicted of the charges after pleading guilty in January.
The 32-year-old was indicted in 2018 for the trafficking charge, but he allegedly continued to intimidate victims. Authorities then charged him with witness tampering.
“Obie lured his victims into prostitution and after he was arrested continued to harass and intimidate them,” Pak said. “Sex trafficking exploits and traumatizes some of the most vulnerable members of our society. We are sending a clear message to those seeking to engage in this type of criminal activity: you will be caught and prosecuted.”
Authorities said Obie lured young women from rural areas in South Carolina to Atlanta with promises of a lucrative lifestyle.
However, once they arrived, they were forced into prostitution - which also came with mental and physical abuse. The victims had to give all of the money they received to Obie.
Officials said his victims were not allowed to go anywhere without his consent nor see anyone unless they were a paying client.
After an indictment was handed down, officials said from January 2018 to April 2018, Obie had other people to call and text the victims as an attempt to get them to retract their statements.
Obie's time in prison must be followed by 10 years of supervised release. He also has to pay restitution to the victims.
"Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, and the threats and abuse inflicted on these particular victims only adds to the heinous nature of the crime,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Nick S. Annan. “HSI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to find and prosecute criminal traffickers while ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need.”
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