Jacksonville man accused of sex trafficking three women by force

At least three women have come forward with complaints against a Jacksonville man they claim forced them in to prostitution, and now, he’s been federally indicted.

30-year-old Richard Moffett faces three counts of sex trafficking by force and threats of force.

The indictment lists three victims, claiming the criminal activity happened over several months.

Prosecutors say one of Moffett’s victims first led investigators to him.

Following a prostitution arrest, that victim reportedly told JSO that Moffett was going to come looking for her.

The criminal complaint says that victim told police she had first met Moffett through her husband- who was buying drugs- but after they broke up, she became homeless.

Moffett allegedly offered her a place to stay and bought her food, but the next day he told her she would have to “bring in money” if she wanted to keep staying there.

The victim thought Moffett was setting up dates for her to accompany them places, but he then told her she would also have to engage in sex acts if they wanted, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint further says Moffett started referring to that victim as his “goldmine”, and he used Backpage.com to set up “dates”.

The same victim told investigators she worked for Moffett out of fear of otherwise becoming homeless.

The criminal complaint says the victim had seen Moffett beat another woman for “being lazy” or withholding some money she had earned from commercial sex acts.

That woman who was told she was being lazy is Moffett’s second alleged victim.

She told investigators she met him initially by purchasing drugs from him, but eventually started taking part in commercial sex acts.

The criminal complaint says Moffett would keep that victim supervised at all times and not let her leave the hotel, often making her stay in the bathroom with the door shut.

The victim further told police that Moffett would threaten to kill her children if she left, adding that he knew where her children lived.

The criminal complaint further says Moffett would withhold drugs from the victim if she did something that made him angry, only giving her some when she got sick from withdrawal.

He also allegedly hit her several times.

The third alleged victim says she also met Moffett by buying drugs from him, but started performing commercial sex acts for him when she needed a place to stay.

The criminal complaint says one time Moffett thought she had taken $50 from him, so he pointed a gun at her.

The complaint says he threatened her, and when she started to run away, he grabbed her hair and hit the back of her head with the gun.

The criminal complaint says all of the victims were forced to give Moffett all of their earnings, in exchange for food, drugs, and a place to stay.

Moffett spoke with investigators, claiming he did side work, and would help women with “this and that”, like getting them a hotel room or handling a situation that was getting out of hand.

He allegedly told investigators he would loan money to women and have them pay him back when he was in need, although he said he never pressured them.

The criminal complaint says he gave law enforcement the names of ten women that would verify what he said, admitting each one “will be a Backpage girl”.

The criminal complaint says Moffett additionally told investigators he never hit a woman, and would instead cut them off.

The US Attorney’s Office says Moffett could face between 25 years and life in prison on each charge, if he’s convicted.

Backpage.com has since been seized by federal authorities.

Cox Media Group