In a statement that echoes through the halls of justice, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has announced a severe sentence for Leroy Ellis, Jr., a man who forced a teenage runaway into prostitution. As reported by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Ellis was sentenced to 174 years behind bars after a jury found him guilty on multiple counts of Child Sex Trafficking, marking a dire end to his reprehensible acts.
The victim's ordeal began in California and ended in Arizona, where Ellis, exploiting the vulnerabilities of youth and trust, manipulated her into a life no child should ever know. According to the same source, the teen met Ellis on Facebook and relocated to Phoenix, where she was soon funneled into the underground world of sex work, a scheme set into motion right around her 16th birthday. Despite having a son whose birthday party and presents were funded through the same nefarious deeds, Ellis showed no mercy to his victim.
During the trial, the victim's bravery shone as she recounted the months when every cent she made went straight into Ellis' pockets. As if the theft of innocence wasn't enough, Ellis left his mark on the girl's body, branding her with tattoos of his name and nickname, a disturbing claim to possession found in online sex advertisements. "This woman showed incredible bravery by testifying about how she was manipulated and victimized by the defendant," Mitchell stated, honoring the victim's courage with a gratitude that cannot undo the pain, but seeks justice as a salve.
Ellis's control over the girl even extended to managing her "dates" and dictating prices as unveiled through text messages used in the court as evidence. Phoenix Police, who played a pivotal role in rescuing the victim, were commended by Mitchell for delivering her from a life of exploitation. The egregious branding Ellis inflicted upon the victim was corroborated by photos.
