FARMINGVILLE MAN INDICTED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Mitchell K. Johnson, 38, of Farmingville, was indicted for Sex Trafficking for allegedly using physical violence and narcotic drugs to induce a woman to engage in sexual acts with himself and others for profit.

“One of my top priorities is the complete elimination of sex trafficking within Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This indictment is a pledge to the victim and our community that these heinous acts will be met with our most significant penalties.”

According to the investigation, beginning in March 2023, Johnson allegedly provided the victim with crack cocaine as a means of impairing her judgment in order to induce her to then engage in paid sexual acts with third parties. Johnson allegedly used the victim’s addiction as a tool to control her and imposed rules upon her that she was required to follow, including that she was not allowed to keep any money for herself and that she was not allowed to leave the motel room alone. Johnson allegedly kept the victim’s identification to prevent her from leaving and threatened her and her family with physical violence if his commands were not obeyed.

On one occasion when Johnson went to the victim’s motel room to ensure her compliance, he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex on him. He then withheld drugs from her and strangled her until she lost consciousness. In May 2023, the victim managed to escape after Johnson allegedly directed another person to beat her because of her refusal to engage in sex with buyers. After her escape, she reported her abuse to police.

On December 26, 2024, Johnson was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Stephen L. Braslow for:

• One count of Sex Trafficking (Force), a Class B violent felony;
• One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
• Four counts of Sex Trafficking, Class B felonies;
• One count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
• One count of Strangulation in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
• One count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony; and
• One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a Class E felony.

Justice Braslow ordered Johnson remanded. Johnson is being represented by Michael Elbert, Esq. His next court date is January 10, 2025 in front Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis.  Johnson faces 25 years’ incarceration if convicted on the top charge.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katherine Flinchum of the Hate Crimes, Elder Abuse, Anti-Bias, Human Trafficking Unit (H.E.A.T.), and the investigation was conducted by Detective Kathleen Aspromgos of the Suffolk County Police Department Human Trafficking Investigations Unit.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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