A Euclid, Ohio resident has been sentenced to 12.5 years in federal prison for sex trafficking of a minor and coercion and enticement of an adult female for commercial sex. Donte Lashawn Cole received his sentence from United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV on August 18, 2025. Following his prison term, Cole will be subject to 10 years of supervised release and must register as a convicted sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Court records show that in May 2023, Cole transported a minor from Ohio to Monroeville, Pennsylvania, where he arranged for her to engage in commercial sex acts. He also coerced an adult woman across state lines for similar purposes. From April to October 2023, Cole used online advertisements to market both victims for commercial sex services in Western Pennsylvania and other locations.
Judge Stickman described Cole’s actions as “evil” and stated that he “victimized minor girls, crossed state lines, and treated the girls like property for (his) own gain.”
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti commented on the case: “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state, and federal partners to stand against human trafficking and the exploitation of children and hold sex traffickers such as Donte Cole accountable,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “We will remain vigilant in ensuring that anyone seeking to profit through the exploitation of any child or adult is identified, investigated, and brought to justice.”
Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Edward V. Owens added: “Human traffickers such as Donte Cole prey on the vulnerable, inflicting unimaginable suffering and robbing victims of their dignity and freedom,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Edward V. Owens. “This case spotlights the depravity of those who exploit others for profit. Homeland Security Investigations will never stop working to ensure these predators are held accountable. We remain relentless in our mission to rescue victims, dismantle trafficking operations, and bring justice to those who have endured such horrific abuse.”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday noted: “This predatory trafficker was calculated in how he selected his victims, choosing vulnerable individuals who he then manipulated into situations where their livelihood depended on being at his beck and call,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “Human trafficking is dehumanizing—some of the most egregious conduct we encounter in society. I commend our federal partners for collaborating to reach a resolution that ensures Donte Cole will be far away, for many years, from anyone else he can exploit, manipulate, and abuse.”
Assistant United States Attorney Robert Schupansky along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer Carroll prosecuted this case.
The investigation involved cooperation between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation by coordinating efforts among federal prosecutors’ offices like www.justice.gov/psc.
Individuals with information about human trafficking are encouraged to contact law enforcement or reach out confidentially via phone or online tip form through resources such as https://humantraffickinghotline.org/report-trafficking.
