Texas Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking in the District of Columbia
Devontee Parker Lured Victim with Promises of Support and Financial Stability
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - A federal jury in the District of Columbia convicted Devontee Parker, 38, of Dallas, today for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, interstate transportation for purpose of prostitution, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
“Devontee Parker trafficked vulnerable women by intimidating them with physical violence to make money,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The courage of the victim resulted in compelling testimony that secured this important conviction, which will ensure that Parker will never be able to traffic victims again.”
“I am proud of the deep expertise our prosecutors bring to human trafficking cases,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “Their exceptional work is a key reason we hold a 100% conviction rate in these prosecutions. With FBI agents embedded in our office, we have strengthened both our commitment to eradicating human trafficking and the successful results we are seeing in court.”
“Today’s verdict underscores the victims’ remarkable courage and the unwavering commitment of our agents and partners who pursued justice in this case,” said Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to lead aggressive investigations that hold traffickers accountable and connect victims with the support they need to rebuild their lives.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Parker met the victim in 2021 while she was struggling with housing insecurity, financial instability, and grieving the loss of a beloved family member. Parker made the victim believe he cared about her and enticed her to come live with him in Texas. Once the victim agreed, Parker advertised the victim online, set prices for the commercial sex acts, and drove her to sex buyers in multiple states as well as the District of Columbia.
Parker demanded that the victim turn over all her earnings to him and controlled her access to money, food, and other necessities. He also set a daily earning quota for the victim and punished her with violence if she did not make enough money. The victim testified that during one incident, Parker strangled her until she lost consciousness. During another incident, Parker gave her a black eye.
Parker also routinely looked through the victim’s phone to monitor her communications with others and forbade her from speaking with friends after they witnessed his abuse. Parker also introduced the victim to drugs, including cocaine, and routinely supplied her with illicit substances while instructing her to have sex with men for money. After several unsuccessful attempts to leave Parker, the victim escaped in 2024 when he was arrested on prostitution-related charges by state authorities. Parker was indicted in Texas on charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion related to additional victims in August 2026.
The jury convicted Parker of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, interstate transportation for purpose of prostitution, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 3, 2027. Parker faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Trial Attorney Jessica Arco of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Bohlen and Karen Shinskie for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
The FBI Washington Field Office and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
Source: Justice.gov
