A 21-year-old Houston man, Antonio Dario Osoria-Avelar, also known as Pressure, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a minor. The U.S. Attorney's Office reports that Osoria-Avelar pled guilty on April 18, 2023, and was convicted of exploiting a 16-year-old girl for commercial sex.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. imposed the sentence after considering Osoria-Avelar's substantial criminal history, which included giving another minor victim to a criminal associate. In a disturbing recount made available by the victims themselves, the court understood how Osoria-Avelar systematically destroyed the young girl's relationships with her family. Despite attempts to attribute his actions to immaturity, the judge recognized that Osoria-Avelar knew exactly what he was engaging in and effectively manipulated those around him.
Following his prison term, Osoria-Avelar will be subjected to 15 years of supervised release. As reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, he will have to adhere to strict conditions to limit his access to children and the internet, and register as a sex offender. Details on restitution will be further addressed in the future.
“Osoria-Avelar claimed immaturity caused him to force a 16-year-old to walk the Blade, a notorious area known for prostitution. There is a difference between immaturity and evil, and Osoria-Avelar is evil,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. He emphasized that people like Osoria-Avelar who use force or intimidation to satisfy their desires will not comply to societal norms, according to U.S. Attorney's Office.
The investigation of the case was a collaborative effort by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Houston Police Department, along with assistance from other agencies under the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA). Mark Dawson of HSI highlighted the heinous nature of Osoria-Avelar's crimes, which included using physical and sexual abuse, threats of violence, and psychological manipulation to control the young victim. Dawson reaffirmed HSI's dedication to aggressively tackle human trafficking organizations that target vulnerable individuals.
Throughout January 2023, Osoria-Avelar trafficked the teenager, having forcibly brought her from Dallas to Houston. He kept strict tabs on her movements with a phone, displayed firearms to retain control, and dictated her daily routine. Osoria-Avelar ensured the girl met a daily quota of $500, coerced her to walk the streets, and exploited her in online advertisements for commercial sex, retaining all earnings for himself. Presently, Osoria-Avelar awaits transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, where he will begin serving his sentence.
