A Long Island sex worker was forced into dangerous hotel encounters by a violent immigrant pimp, resulting in a conviction for Michael Howell, 65. He was found guilty of exploiting her while using drugs and violence.
Howell, a citizen of Barbados, operated by promoting the services of unnamed women online from April 2023 until February 2024, collecting all the money from their interactions across Suffolk and Nassau counties, according to authorities.
Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney stated after Howell’s conviction in Suffolk County Supreme Court, “Michael Howell exploited her vulnerabilities using crack, heroin, and violence.”
Living in Brooklyn, Howell reportedly resorted to aggression if a woman resisted his demands, at one point violently slamming her head against a wall, prosecutors disclosed.
He was arrested on February 1, 2024, for possession of fentanyl and significant quantities of cocaine.
Howell is scheduled to return to court on September 26 for sentencing and could face up to 25 years behind bars before his deportation.
Federal immigration authorities are already preparing to send him back to Barbados once he completes his sentence.
Suffolk officials have identified this case as part of a debilitating human trafficking crisis affecting the area.
“We rank among the top 20% for domestic trafficking,” noted County Deputy Director Sylvia Diaz back in February.
She added, “This is a situation no one wants to be part of.”
In response, County’s Ed Romain launched “Operation Safe and Last Return,” a program aimed at improving coordination among agencies to effectively track down missing individuals before they fall victim to traffickers.
Howell will remain detained until his sentencing next month.
