36-Year-Old Maryland Man Pleads Guilty To Sex Trafficking By Force In Multi-State Sex Trafficking Operation

Thursday, August 15, 2024, 3:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

HARRISONBURG, VA.- On Monday, August 12, 2024, a 36-year-old Maryland man appeared in U.S District Court for the Western District of Virginia and pleaded guilty in connection with a months-long sex trafficking operation that involved using the drug dependency of three women to compel and force them to engage in the commercial sex trade.

     William O’Neil Murray, III, 36, appeared in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and entered a guilty plea to one count of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion. When sentenced, Murray faces up to twenty years in federal prison. 

     According to court documents filed with the U.S. District Court, beginning in December 2021 and continuing through July 2022, Murray engaged in a multi-state sex trafficking operation that involved at least three adult female victims. Murray recruited and coerced his victims into sex work using their drug dependency as his primary method of control.

     Murray controlled the women’s drug use by not allowing them to purchase drugs from anyone but him, therefore taking complete control over each woman’s drug dependency. Murray would withhold drugs from the women if they did not follow his directions or engage in commercial sex.

     The women described becoming “dope sick” when Murray withheld drugs from them. Therefore, Murray stood between them and the threat of withdrawal. Murray knew that withholding drugs from them would have a coercive effect on them. 

     Murray managed every aspect of the commercial sex transactions. Murray used various commercial sex websites, such as “Skipthegames.com,” to set up dates with commercial sex customers, set prices, book hotel rooms, and transport the women to the dates. Murray would then take all the proceeds from the commercial sex acts.

     Murray maintained strict control over the women’s activities, including requiring them to stay in touch with him while they completed their commercial sex dates. The women were not allowed to go anywhere without Murray’s permission and were punished if they did so.

     The criminal sex acts occurred in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Florida.

     The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s I-81 Human Trafficking Task Force and the Virginia State Police are continuing their investigation into this case.