Kissimmee man charged with violent sex trafficking of three woman and raping a 14-year-old NY girl

On Thursday, an indictment was unsealed in a Brooklyn, New York, federal courtroom charging a Florida man with sex trafficking multiple women and coercion and enticement of a minor. Joel David Forney, aka “Sirbar,” was charged with three counts of sex trafficking, Mann Act transportation for purposes of commercial sex, and coercion and enticement of a minor.

The 41-year-old Forney from Kissimmee was arrested on April 17 and was scheduled to be arraigned later that same day in the Middle District of Florida.

Forney reportedly trafficked women to work in commercial sex in New York, including at an open-air sex trafficking market along a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn known as the Penn Track, as well as the defendant’s transportation of women from New York to multiple other states, including Connecticut and Missouri, with the intent that they engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit.

According to court documents, for years Forney preyed on vulnerable women in tough financial circumstances by sex trafficking them, violently assaulting them and subjecting them to constant threats of violence. 

Forney allegedly began trafficking the first of this three victims, Jane Doe #1, in the summer of 2016, when he lured her to travel from her home in Wisconsin to New York City with false promises of a legitimate job offer.  When Jane Doe #1 arrived, he brought her to a hotel where he raped her and threatened her with violence.  He then photographed her and posted advertisements on the Internet using her photo to promote commercial sex. 

For the next several months, he trafficked Jane Doe #1, bringing her to hotels in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and other locations, where he compelled her to engage in commercial sex.  He also retained the majority of the proceeds of her commercial sex work. 

If Jane Doe #1 failed to earn enough money or acted in a way that he viewed as disrespectful, he would slap, punch, or sexually assault her.  He routinely threatened to kill Jane Doe #1. On one occasion, he showed Jane Doe #1 a photograph on his phone of a dismembered woman and told her that “this is what happens to bi—–s who leave their pimps.” ~ Department of Justice

Forney began trafficking Jane Doe #2 in October 2017 at the Penn Track and in other states where he forced her to perform commercial sex for his financial benefit.  As was the case with Jane Doe #1, Forney kept the majority of the financial proceeds of Jane Doe #2’s work. Forney would beat her if she violated his rules. On one occasion, angered by Jane Doe #2’s perceived disobedience, Forney punched her in the face, breaking her front tooth. 

Forney trafficked a third victim, Jane Doe #3, beginning in May 2017.  As with Jane Doe #2, the defendant compelled Jane Doe #3 to work in commercial sex largely on the Penn Track, and kept most of her earnings.  Like all the women the defendant trafficked, Jane Doe #3 was instructed to strictly adhere to the defendant’s rules, and any acts of disobedience were met with violence and threats. 

In addition to sex trafficking, Forney also engaged in sexually predatory conduct directed at a minor.  Specifically, in June 2014, when Forney was 31-years-old, he encountered Jane Doe #4, who was then 14 years-old, walking home in Queens.  He told her she was pretty; she told him her age.  After exchanging contact information, the defendant continued to communicate with the girl—regularly telling her she was beautiful—before inviting her to his home where he raped her. 

If convicted, Forney faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Here’s hoping he receives the latter. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI New York Field Office is investigating the case.

If you are a victim of trafficking — whether by Forney or someone else — and have information to provide, please contact the FBI, which is prepared to help you regardless of your immigration status, at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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(Source: Department of Justice)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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