A Denver man has been handed a seven-year sentence for federal sex trafficking crimes, following a case that highlights the dark underbelly of human exploitation in our communities. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado, 41-year-old Walter Conwell was recently sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and will also be under supervised release for an additional eight years for his crimes.
As outlined in the plea agreement, Conwell was involved in the interstate transportation of two individuals for prostitution. The prosecution's case revealed that he lured his victims with false promises of necessities, including housing and health insurance. One of the victims was even a minor. Conwell's misdeeds extended across state lines, from Texas to Colorado, hinting at the interstate nature of these despicable acts. Yet, per United States Attorney Peter McNeilly, "Federal prison is the appropriate place for a man who somehow convinced himself it was okay to take everything from these young women and sell them for sex," as mentioned by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Denver's FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek conveyed the contemptible nature of Conwell's actions and their impact on the victims. "Like all sex traffickers, this man preyed on people who were vulnerable. The lack of respect he showed for basic human values is appalling," said Michalek, as per the U.S. Department of Justice. The survivors are now on their path to recovery: a challenging journey, certainly, but one that begins with the perpetrator behind bars.
