Case Law Database

Trafficking in persons

United States v. Corey Davis

United States of America

Fact Summary

Defendant Davis (a.k.a. "Magnificent"), a resident of New York, pleaded guilty in a case involving forced prostitution of minors, and adult women in New York, Connecticut, and Texas. Working as a pimp, Davis forced girls as young as 12 to work as strippers, dancers, and prostitutes for upwards of twelve hours a day. After each shift, Davis confiscated all of the earnings of the victims. When the girls and women were not working, Davis confined them into a locked house in Queens, New York. To maintain control over the victims, Davis repeatedly assaulted those who broke house "rules." In one instance, Davis assaulted a 17-year-old victim by placing a handgun in the girl's mouth.

Davis pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking, and was sentenced to over twenty-four years imprisonment.

A fund for victims was created from Davis' profits.

Author:
Human Trafficking Database of the University of Michigan Law School

Keywords

Trafficking in Persons Protocol:
Article 3, Trafficking in Persons Protocol
Article 5, Trafficking in Persons Protocol
Acts:
Harbouring
Means:
Threat or use of force or other forms of coercion
Abuse of power or a position of vulnerability
Purpose of Exploitation:
Exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation
Form of Trafficking:
Internal
Sector in which exploitation takes place:
Commercial sexual exploitation

Cross-Cutting Issues

Gender Equality Considerations

Details

• Female principal offender

Procedural Information

Legal System:
Common Law
Latest Court Ruling:
Court of 1st Instance
Type of Proceeding:
Criminal
 

Victims / Plaintiffs in the first instance

Victim:
MV 1
Gender:
Child
Age:
12
at beginning of commission of offenses
Victim:
MV 2
Gender:
Child
Age:
17
at beginning of commission of offenses
Victim:
MV 3
Gender:
Child
Age:
15
at beginning of commission of offenses
Victim:
A.W.
Gender:
Female
Age:
18
at beginning of commission of offenses
Victim:
R.G.
Gender:
Female
Age:
19
aprox. at beginning of commission of offenses
Victim:
Several other females identified by “stage” names only

Defendants / Respondents in the first instance

Defendant:
Corey Davis
Gender:
Male
Nationality:
American
Age:
36
Born:
1972
Legal Reasoning:

Corey Davis pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking.

Defendant:
Shamere Mackenzie
Gender:
Female
Nationality:
American
Born:
1983
Legal Reasoning:

Defendant Shamere McKenzie pleaded guilty in exchange for a reduced sentencing.

Charges / Claims / Decisions

Defendant:
Corey Davis
Legislation / Statute / Code:
18 U.S.C. §1591
Charge details:
Sex Trafficking of Minor
Verdict:
Guilty
Charge details:
Forced Labor
Verdict:
Withdrawn
Charge details:
Kidnapping
Verdict:
Withdrawn
Charge details:
Violations of Mann Act
Verdict:
Withdrawn
Term of Imprisonment:
24 years 5 Months
and a life term of supervised release
Compensation / Payment to Victim:
Yes  50000  USD  (100,000-500,000 USD)
plus value of seized property, including 29,255USD in cash, approximately 110,000USD in jewelry, and two Mercedes Benz automobiles
Fine / Payment to State:
Yes  200000  USD  (100,000-500,000 USD)
Defendant:
Shamere Mackenzie
Charge details:
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States (Conspiracy to Transport Minors for Immoral Purposes)
Verdict:
Guilty
Probation for 5 years, with special conditions
Fine / Payment to State:
Yes  100  USD  (Up to 10,000 USD) Special assesment

Court

United States District Court for the District of Connecticut

Sources / Citations