Human Trafficker Pleads Guilty, Will Serve 10 Years in Prison

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Patrick Lawrence Trottie, 44, of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to Coercing Commercial Sexual Activity for Human Trafficking, and Deriving Support from the Proceeds of Prostitution. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Trottie was sentenced by the Honorable Marianne Aho to 10 years in Florida State Prison followed by 10 years of probation. Upon his release from prison, Trottie will be required to register as a sex offender.

A detailed investigation over several weeks in early 2017 revealed Trottie held several women captive, supplied them with heroin, and forced them to repay their “debt” through prostitution services. Trottie advertised the women on a popular website commonly used by human traffickers to exploit victims and further commercial gain from sex acts. Trottie used drugs and violence to establish dominance over the women, who at times attempted to escape.

The case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Erin Wolfson as part of the work of the State Attorney’s Office’s Human Rights Division.