A man accused of bringing a woman from Alabama to Pittsburgh to prostitute her was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Thursday, according to U.S. Department of Justice officials.
Anthony Juskowich, 23, who was living in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood at the time of his arrest, brought the victim to Pittsburgh and shortly thereafter coerced and forced her to engage in prostitution.
He pleaded guilty earlier this year.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Silinski, Juskowich was arrested following an undercover operation at a hotel in Moon Township. On May 13, 2021, agents visited a website advertising sex acts with a “beautiful southern belle” for $60. They scheduled a “date” with her for the next day.
When they arrived at the hotel, they identified themselves as law enforcement to the victim.
That same day, Juskowich was stopped by investigators on an outstanding warrant. He told them first that the victim was his girlfriend. Authorities say he later admitted that she was having sex with men for money.
Justice Department officials said that even after Juskowich and the victim were separated, he continued to exercise control over her, even from jail.
The prosecution is a part of the U.S. Justice Department’s “Operation T.E.N. (Trafficking Ends Now),” an umbrella coalition for law enforcement, community and nonprofits in the 25 counties that make up the department’s Western District of Pennsylvania.
