A Houston man has been convicted of trafficking minors and enticing underage individuals for illicit activities in both Houston and Dallas. Cristian Morris, aged 22, was found guilty by a federal jury after a day and a half of deliberation. The trial spanned three days, during which U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei disclosed Morris's charges, which included two counts of sex trafficking and one count of enticement of a minor.
The crimes occurred between January 1 and June 23, 2023, during which Morris recruited teenage girls, provided them with drugs, and posted online advertisements for commercial sex. These activities took place in hotels located in areas known as the "blade," situated near I-59 Southwest Freeway and Bissonnet Street in Houston and Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas.
Victims testified during the trial about the instructions Morris gave them on conducting their activities and the transportation he provided between the two cities. According to their testimonies, Morris retained all proceeds from these transactions. U.S. Attorney Ganjei commented on the verdict, asserting, "What this case demonstrates is that if you pimp, traffic, or exploit either women or children, you will be caught, and you shouldn’t expect anything other than the hardest charges that we can bring."
Morris was apprehended on June 23, 2023, after he advertised the services of the youngest victim, a 15-year-old runaway. The defense's claim that the victims were merely runaways and school dropouts failed to convince the jury, who found Morris guilty as charged.
Judge Alfred H. Bennett presided over the proceedings and scheduled sentencing for July 10. Morris could face life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. He remains in custody until then.
The FBI and Houston Police Department led the investigation through the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA), incorporating assistance from various federal and state law enforcement agencies. Since its formation in 2004, the HTRA is recognized for its efforts in combating human trafficking and supporting victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Valenti and Kimberly Leo prosecuted the case.