Moody secures decades-long prison sentence for human trafficker

FLORIDA — Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP) announced that it has secured a nearly 20-year prison sentence for a human trafficker who forced a woman and teenage girl into sex work.

Brandon Gutman, of Boca Raton, pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges for running a human trafficking operation for several years, said the OSP. According to the law enforcement investigation, Gutman withheld money and identification documents from the victims.

The Honorable Judge Caroline Shepherd sentenced Gutman to 19 years in prison. As a result of the crimes, Gutman must register as a sex offender for life.

“The repugnant actions of this trafficker led a woman and teenage girl into a life of unspeakable horror, including physical abuse and emotional and financial manipulation,” said Moody.

“Human trafficking is an atrocious crime and we do not tolerate it in our state. This trafficker will now serve a long time behind bars for his horrendous crimes.”

According to the OSP, the investigation revealed Gutman ran a human trafficking operation using physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional and financial manipulation to coerce women to engage in commercial sexual activity for personal benefit. Gutman also trafficked a 16-year-old juvenile, forcing the victim to engage in exotic dancing and commercial sex.

In June, Attorney General Moody announced the arrest of Gutman and the shuttering of the human trafficking operation. The Boca Raton Police Department, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Gutman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking of a minor for commercial sexual activity, a second-degree felony; two counts of human trafficking of an adult for commercial sexual activity, first-degree felonies; three counts of deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, second-degree felonies; and two counts of unlawful sexual activity of a minor, second-degree felonies.