Madison, Wisconsin – In a significant development in the ongoing battle against sex trafficking in Wisconsin, a River Falls man, Austin Koeckeritz, has entered a guilty plea to federal charges, potentially resulting in a minimum 15-year prison sentence.
Koeckeritz pleaded guilty to the charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, as well as one count of sex trafficking involving a minor. The charges stem from a disturbing criminal complaint filed in Pierce County, where it was revealed that Koeckeritz had subjected his victim to creating sexually explicit videos against her will. She described being held against her will in a room and being forced into daily labor, with Koeckeritz seizing nearly all of her earnings.
Additionally, the victim disclosed that Koeckeritz introduced a 15-year-old girl into the situation, coercing both victims into performing sex acts.
Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office emphasized the devastating and long-lasting impacts of sex trafficking on victims and their families in the state of Wisconsin. In a press release, Hensle expressed the dedication of FBI personnel and law enforcement partners across the state in pursuing and holding accountable those who exploit and harm others for profit.
A sentencing date for Austin Koeckeritz has yet to be determined, but his guilty plea underscores the commitment to combating sex trafficking in Wisconsin. To report information related to human trafficking, individuals are urged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, a toll-free service available 24/7.
