BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A man who ran a sex trafficking operation out of his Humboldt Parkway home was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison.
52-year-old Valentino Shine was convicted following a jury trial of five counts of sex trafficking.
Shine exploited women who were vulnerable and addicted to drugs. He would provide or withhold drugs to coerce the victims to engage in commercial sex acts.
Evidence presented during the federal trial claimed Shine was recovering from a cocaine addiction and knew the power that drug could have over someone.
Shine would require his victims advertise on backpage.com. After they performed sex acts for money, they would pay Shine in exchange for drugs.
Shine also beat his victims, manipulated them, and brainwashed them to gain control.
Three women who worked for Shine died of a drug overdose as a result of their addiction.
