MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) – A 35-year-old Milwaukee man described by prosecutors as a notorious human trafficker was sentenced to more than 21 years in federal prison for sex trafficking and related crimes.
Morrell D. Johnson, of Milwaukee’s south side, was sentenced to 262 months behind bars after pleading guilty Nov. 5, 2025, to sex trafficking involving six adult survivors, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
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Court records show Johnson was a drug trafficker who sold heroin, cocaine and fentanyl. Prosecutors said he recruited women who were struggling with addiction and forced them into commercial sex acts by promising housing, protection and continued access to drugs.
Johnson then used the victims’ addictions as leverage, taking all proceeds from the sex acts while adding the cost of drugs to what prosecutors described as an ever-growing debt. If a victim refused to work, attempted to leave or broke his rules, Johnson used violence and intimidation as punishment…