A Milwaukee woman has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to a reduced count of reckless homicide in the death of a man she claimed was sexually trafficking her. The woman, now 24 years old, shot the man at his Kenosha home in 2018 when she was 17 years old. She then set his house on fire and stole his BMW.
The judge sentenced the woman to 11 years of initial confinement followed by 5 years of extended supervision. She was given credit for 570 days of time served and is expected to be released in 2033. The woman pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide, avoiding a possible life sentence.
The woman's defense argued that she was a victim of sex trafficking and therefore not criminally liable for her actions under a state law that provides immunity to trafficking victims for offenses committed as a direct result of being trafficked. However, prosecutors contended that this law was not intended to cover homicide.
The case drew attention from anti-violence groups, who supported the woman's defense, highlighting the complex and often desperate situations faced by trafficking victims. The state Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that the woman could raise the defense during trial.
This case sheds light on the challenges faced by victims of sex trafficking and the legal complexities surrounding their actions in response to their exploitation. It underscores the need for a nuanced approach to addressing the intersection of criminality and victimization in cases of sex trafficking.
