Houston sex trafficker convicted of luring minor through social media

HOUSTON - A 25-year-old man has pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Michael Ramone Hooks, Houston, admitted to recruiting the 16-year-old victim to engage in prostitution via Instagram, text messages and video calls.

He communitated via cell phone with the minor and lured her away from a known sex trafficker, Antonio Dario Osario-Avelar aka Pressure. Prior to Hooks' attempt to lure the minor victim away to work for him, Osario-Avelar had caused to her to engage in commercial sex.

Hooks knew the victim was a minor. Law enforcement discovered text messages revealing that they discussed her age. The victim agreed to pay Hooks a "choosing fee," which is a fee the victim pays a trafficker for them to be their "pimp."

In August 2023, authorities arrested Hooks and recovered the minor victim before she could join up with him.

Osario-Avelar was previously sentenced to 375 months in federal prison for his conduct in a separate case before U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks.

U.S. District Judge Sim Lake accepted the plea and has set sentencing for Dec. 20. At that time, Hooks faces up to life imprisonment and a possible $250,000 fine maximum fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA) and Houston Police Department (HPD).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack is prosecuting the case.

HTRA law enforcement includes members of HPD, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General's Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor (DOL), DOL - Wage and Hour Division, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General (OIG), Social Security Administration - OIG and Sheriff's Offices in Harris and Montgomery counties in coordination with District Attorney's offices in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.

Established in 2004, the United States Attorney's office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.