A Florida man faces life in prison after being found guilty of sex trafficking of nearly a dozen women and girls over several years.
At a Glance
- Shannima Yuantrell Session, 47, convicted on 13 charges of sex trafficking
- Crimes occurred between 2011-2013 and 2016-2019 in Florida
- Session exploited vulnerable victims through violence, drugs, and intimidation
- Sentencing scheduled for December 19, facing potential life sentence
Ruthless Tactics Exposed in Nine-Day Federal Trial
A nine-day federal trial has concluded with the conviction of 47-year-old Shannima Yuantrell Session on 13 counts of sex trafficking. The Lake Placid, Florida resident was found guilty of exploiting nearly a dozen women and girls over two periods: July 2011 to July 2013 and February 2016 to February 2019. Session’s crimes paint a disturbing picture of manipulation and cruelty targeting society’s most vulnerable.
Prosecutors revealed that Session lured his victims with false promises of legitimate work and housing. Once under his control, he subjected them to horrific conditions, forcing them into prostitution in squalid trailers housing migrant workers and local orange groves. Session’s methods of control were brutally effective, combining physical violence, drug dependency, and psychological manipulation.
Extreme Violence and Intimidation
The trial exposed the shocking extent of Session’s violence against his victims. He employed a range of brutal tactics to maintain control, including beating women with metal nutcrackers and baseball bats, choking them to unconsciousness, and holding them underwater in a lake to instill fear. Session also kept a firearm, which he frequently displayed or referenced when interacting with his victims.
“The defendant used despicable and horrific means to terrify and coerce nearly a dozen women and girls to engage in commercial sex,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting vulnerable victims from such cruel exploitation. This prosecution reflects that commitment. It is a testament to the courageous young women who cooperated with law enforcement to expose, prosecute and hold accountable this defendant for the years of misery he inflicted on scores of women.”
Session’s calculated approach involved portraying himself as caring and empathetic to gather information on his victims’ vulnerabilities. He then exploited these weaknesses, manipulating substance abuse problems and withholding basic necessities like food to compel compliance with his demands for commercial sex acts.
Justice Served, But Work Continues
The conviction of Shannima Session marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against human trafficking. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida emphasized the importance of this case, stating, “Vindicating the rights of human trafficking victims and other vulnerable persons ranks among the highest priorities of our office. Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation. We will not allow human traffickers to prey upon others for profit, as humans are not commodities but rather demand our united protection.”
Florida Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking Nearly a Dozen Women and Girls
🔗: https://t.co/UWO1srVMIn pic.twitter.com/P8Ir8wJ3x2
— DOJ Civil Rights Division (@CivilRights) September 24, 2024
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI Miami Field Office and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri highlighted the ongoing commitment to dismantling human trafficking networks, praising the cooperation between law enforcement agencies in bringing Session to justice.
Session’s sentencing is scheduled for December 19, where he faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison and mandatory restitution to his victims. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of human trafficking and the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting vulnerable members of our communities.
Anyone with information about human trafficking is urged to report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. The fight against this heinous crime continues, and public awareness and cooperation are crucial in identifying and helping victims.
