Homeland Security, ICE Lodged Detainer to Deport Him after He Serves 25-Year Sentence
A Brooklyn man originally from Barbados was found guilty of sex trafficking and other related charges after a jury trial. The jury found that Howell compelled the victim to engage in sex acts for money through drug use and violence.
From approximately April 1, 2023 through February 1, 2024, Michael Howell forced the victim to engage in sexual acts with others for money throughout Suffolk County and adjoining counties. Howell rented hotel rooms and posted advertisements depicting the victim on websites typically used to advertise sex for money.
To gain control over the victim, Howell gave her crack-cocaine and heroin and would take any money from the sexual acts that she was forced to perform. When the victim refused to engage in these acts, Howell resorted to physical violence and threats to gain the victim’s compliance, including slamming her head into a wall.
During the time in which Howell maintained control over the victim, he also told her that she owed him money for the drugs that he provided to her and for the hotel room that she stayed in. At the time of his arrest on February 1, 2024, Howell was found in possession of fentanyl and a large quantity of cocaine.
On August 26, 2025, Howell, 65, was convicted after a jury trial, heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis of:
- two counts of Sex Trafficking, both Class B felonies
- one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree, a Class C felony
- one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a Class D felony
- one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony
- one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor
Howell is due back in court on September 26, 2025, for sentencing and faces up to 25 years in prison. The United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has lodged a detainer to take custody and deport Howell after he serves his sentence.
“Michael Howell preyed upon his victim by using crack, heroin and violence to maintain control over her in order to profit from her exploitation,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “The use of addictive substances to keep trafficking victims dependent and compliant is a particularly cruel tactic employed by human traffickers. I commend the dedicated work of our Human Trafficking Unit prosecutors and the Suffolk County Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit for ensuring justice was served.”