Prosecutors allege that Kareem Mitchell (38) and Sharice Mitchell (51), trafficked at most eight women between 2018 and earlier this month.
According to Alvin Bragg Jr., Manhattan District Attorney, a married couple was indicted Wednesday for running a sex trafficking operation that covered several years and boroughs of New York City.
Bragg stated that the Bronx spouses, Sharice Mitchell (51), and Kareem Mitchell (38), trafficked at most eight women between November 2018 and earlier this month.
According to the New York State Supreme Court indictment, two of the eight victims of the couple, who were young adults, were taken care of by Sharice Mitchell. She is a certified foster parent.
Bragg stated in the statement that “sex traffickers target New York’s most vulnerable people, including young New Yorkers who are in the child welfare system,” According to Bragg, the husband and wife allegedly forced eight young women into prostitution instead of providing a safe place. These proactive investigations will be prioritized to stop sex trafficking and keep New Yorkers safe.
Officials also announced that Kareem Mitchell was charged with second-degree aggravated harassment.
NBC News saw the indictment and identified the victims as “Individuals.” According to the indictment, Sharice Mitchell was a foster parent for the first victim in January 2019. The second victim was identified as Sharice Mitchell in January 2020.
Prosecutors said that he used Instagram and Facebook to recruit women. He then verbally and physical abused his victims to force them into prostitution in Midtown Manhattan and elsewhere.
Officials said Kareem Mitchell was also registered as a sex offender. This stemmed from a 2008 federal conviction on transportation of a minor for prostitution.
Prosecutors said that his wife lied to her on her application to be a foster parent. She claimed she didn’t live with her husband even though they were both registered at the same address.
The Administration for Children’s Services in New York City, which screens potential foster parents, released a statement on Thursday. It said: “We take safety very seriously for the children and youth in our care in New York City’s Foster Care System. Most foster parents offer safe, loving environments. We don’t tolerate anyone who exploits children or puts them in danger. We are currently reviewing the Manhattan DA’s allegations and fully cooperating with the investigation.”
The couple’s attorneys were not available for comment on Thursday afternoon.
NBC New York reported that the defendants entered not guilty pleas at court on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s remand was given to Kareem Mitchell. Bragg spokeswoman Thursday said that the bail for Mitchell’s wife was $500,000 cash, $1.5million insurance bond and $2,000,000 partially secured surety bond.
