TAMPA, Fla. — A joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has led to the unsealing of an indictment in the Middle District of Florida charging a Florida man with sex trafficking of a minor.
Dontae Burton, 39, of Tampa, faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
According to court documents, Burton coordinated commercial sex acts on behalf of a minor victim after posting photographs of her on adult escort websites. Burton told the minor victim how the dates worked and the portion of money that he would receive from the dates. He transported the minor victim for the dates and received proceeds from her commercial sexual activity.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry.
If you suspect human trafficking, call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP. Callers may remain anonymous.
About HSI
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce consists of over 10,000 employees, assigned to 235 offices within the United States and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI's international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.