A Farmingville man has been indicted for sex trafficking and may face up to 25 years in prison.
Beginning in March 2023, Mitchell K. 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 first-degree criminal sexual act, a Class B violent felony
• four counts of sex trafficking, all Class B felonies
• one count of second-degree promoting prostitution, a Class C felony
• one count of second-degree strangulation, a Class D violent felony
• one count of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D violent felony
• one count of third-degree criminal sexual act, a Class E felony
Braslow ordered Johnson remanded. Johnson’s next court date is January 10, 2025 in front of Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis. Johnson faces 25 years’ incarceration if convicted on the top charge.
“One of my top priorities is the complete elimination of sex trafficking within Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “This indictment is a pledge to the victim and our community that these heinous acts will be met with our most significant penalties.”