A California man, Winston Cornell Burt, also known as "Dice Capone," was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sex trafficking-related offenses. The sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge John H. Chun in Seattle. Burt's sentence will run concurrently with a separate 176-month sentence from King County Superior Court.
Judge Chun described Burt's actions as "horrific criminal conduct" and ordered an additional 15 years of supervised release following his prison term. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller highlighted Burt's manipulative nature and disregard for the law, emphasizing the danger he posed to the community.
In October 2024, Burt pleaded guilty to charges including Sex Trafficking through Force, Fraud, and Coercion and Unlawful Possession of Firearms at the federal level. In King County Superior Court, he admitted guilt to several other charges such as Assault and Drive-by Shooting.
Burt self-identified as a "pimp" operating a sex trafficking enterprise across multiple states including California, Arizona, and Washington. Victims were forced to hand over all their earnings from prostitution to him. Some victims had his name tattooed on their faces as a sign of ownership.
On November 2, 2022, Burt assaulted a victim who wanted to leave his control at an Airbnb in south Seattle. Three days later, another assault led to her desperate escape attempt by jumping out of a third-story window. Despite being pursued by Burt armed with a gun, she managed to get away with the help of a passerby who called authorities after witnessing her distress.
Special Agent W. Mike Herrington from the FBI Seattle field office stated that this case highlights human trafficking as modern-day slavery involving extreme violence for control over victims viewed as property.
Burt was arrested while attempting to flee an Airbnb on November 6, 2022. Authorities recovered significant amounts of cash and firearms during searches related to his activities.
The investigation involved collaboration between various law enforcement agencies including the FBI Seattle field office and Phoenix division alongside local police departments.
Prosecutors argued for stringent sentencing due to Burt’s coercive tactics exploiting victims financially while exposing them to potential harm or arrest through forced commercial sex work activities.
One victim expressed relief at escaping Burt’s violent influence during today’s court proceedings: “I was one of the lucky ones who got away.”
The case was prosecuted jointly by Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor Alexandra Voorhees along with Assistant United States Attorney Kate Crisham.