BUFFALO, N.Y. – Steven Gonzalez, also known by multiple aliases including Steven Hernandez and Stevie, 48, of Buffalo, NY, has pleaded guilty to charges of sex trafficking by coercion. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with the potential for a life sentence, along with a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel L. Violanti and Caitlin M. Higgins reported that from 2012 to March 2015, Gonzalez exploited a minor, referred to as A.N., by providing cocaine in exchange for sex, leveraging A.N.’s cocaine addiction to coerce her into commercial sex acts. Similarly, between 2012 and 2013, Gonzalez manipulated another minor, identified as B.E., by supplying heroin in exchange for sex, utilizing B.E.’s heroin addiction as a means of coercion.
This guilty plea is the culmination of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
