BEAUMONT, Texas — The trial of a Port Arthur man accused of trafficking two girls younger than 18-years-old.
The trial began with jury selection on Monday, December 9. Judge John Stevens is presiding in the Criminal District Court.
Sonny Eckhart is the prosecuting and Jimmy Hamm is the defense attorney.
Fabbian Donta Scott, 27, is being charged with two counts of trafficking of persons younger than 18.
When Judge Stevens asked Scott how he pleaded, he responded "Not guilty." to both counts.
If found guilty, Scott faces up to life in prison. Probation is not an option if he is found guilty of trafficking of persons. The only way he could get probation is if they find him guilty of a lower included charge.
Background
Scott was indicted on on March 31, 2021. He was arrested after a tip was received from the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Prosecutors claim Scott sexually exploited two 16-year-old girls at Beaumont hotels. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred over several days, in multiple locations, cities and states.
Scott is accused of putting ads on websites that promote prostitution and selling sexual services in exchange for money.
Beaumont police say they found two teen victim's photos on "Skip the Games", a website known to promote prostitution. Evidence from the photos led investigators to Beaumont, according to a probable cause affidavit.
One ad on the website listed a phone number belonging to Jake Knight Jones, 43. Both victims were found by detectives and they identified Jones as a man who coerced them into using, "cocaine and yellow pills.", according to the affidavit.
Both victims said Jones placed ads on the websites and men would show up. Jones would tell them what to do. The victims said Jones took photos and videos of them, the affidavit states.
They both said they had been kept in the Howard Johnson and Americas Best Value Inn in Beaumont.
Both victims identified Scott and said he would "watch over them" and collect money. He also helped take photos of the girls and post them to the website, according to the affidavit.
Jones pleaded guilty in 2023 and received two 20-year sentences.
Wednesday's Testimony
On Wednesday, December 11, Beaumont Police Officer Trevor Barnett, a veteran with the Beaumont Police Department since 2015, testified about his role in a 2021 operation targeting sex trafficking.
Barnett explained the use of the website "Skip the Games," describing it as a platform where individuals solicit sexual services and post explicit ads with contact details.
He used a spoofed phone number to establish contact with the person who posted an ad advertising an underage individual for sexual acts.
Although the individual did not appear at the arranged meeting, Barnett’s efforts contributed to the broader investigation.
He emphasized the sophistication of traffickers and the strategies police employ to maintain anonymity during undercover operations.
The rest of the testimony on Wednesday involved victims in the alleged crime.
Tuesday's Testimony
In opening statements on Tuesday, December 10, the prosecution told the jury they will learn from testimony about the trafficking of two high school students. He said they will learn how one of the victims in 2021 began being trafficked by Jones. She then recruited her friend to join the venture.
They posted advertisements on an illicit website called "Skip the Games" and were trafficked across locations in Beaumont and Louisiana.
The victims were ultimately found and rescued in March 2021 through a series of unusual circumstances involving a tattoo parlor in Groves. A friend of the girls became concerned after getting a call from one of the victims who appeared to be intoxicated and on drugs.
The friend contacted the victim's family, who then called a trafficking hotline. The Beaumont Police Department investigated the tip and found the girls at a tattoo house.
Eckhart told the jury they will learn that both girls came from troubled backgrounds, had previously run away from home and had struggled with drug use. The traffickers provided them with drugs, necessities and housing, creating a dependency that made it difficult to escape.
The prosecution said they will learn how Scott took part in the trafficking operation even if he was not involved in the initial recruitment.
Both victims will testify during the trial. Eckhart said their testimony along with digital evidence and witness statements will clearly show the trafficking occurred.
The defense did not offer an opening statement.
