A federal jury has found Dontae Dajuan Burton, a 40-year-old resident of Tampa, guilty of two counts of sex trafficking minors and one count of producing child sex abuse material. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the verdict. Burton now faces a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in federal prison, although the sentencing date is yet to be determined. The indictment was issued on November 12, 2024.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Burton arranged commercial sexual activities for two minors aged 16 and 17 by creating advertisements on adult escort websites. He managed all communications with clients, scheduled meetings, set payment amounts for sexual acts, and transported the victims to and from these engagements. Burton also handled financial transactions, retaining about half of the payments made by clients for the sexual services. Additionally, he recorded and edited a video showing one victim performing a sex act on him.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project involves cooperation between federal, state, and local resources to locate offenders who exploit children sexually and rescue victims.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations alongside the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry is prosecuting the case.