Web Desk
A 22-year-old man from Houston has been found guilty of multiple sex trafficking offenses, exposing the dark reality of human exploitation in Texas.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Cristian Morris was convicted on two counts of sex trafficking and one count of enticement of a minor.
The jury reached a verdict after a day and a half of deliberation following a three-day trial.
The prosecution revealed that between January 1 and June 23, 2023, Morris preyed on young teenage girls, luring them with drugs and coercing them into commercial sex work.
He posted explicit online advertisements and forced the victims to engage in prostitution at hotels located in well-known trafficking zones in Houston and Dallas.
The term “blade” refers to notorious areas for sex trafficking, such as the I-59 Southwest Freeway and Bissonnet Street in Houston, as well as Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas.
These locations are frequently used by traffickers to exploit their victims.
Three victims took the stand during the trial, detailing how Morris controlled their movements, dictated their earnings, and supplied them with condoms to facilitate the crimes.
Morris’ operation collapsed on June 23 when he posted commercial sex ads featuring a 15-year-old runaway.
Authorities arrested him that same day, putting an end to his trafficking activities.
His defense team argued that the victims were merely troubled runaways engaging in risky behavior, but the jury dismissed this claim and found him guilty on all charges.
U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett will sentence Morris on July 10, 2025. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and fines up to $250,000.
Following the verdict, Morris was taken into custody.
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Valenti and Kimberly Leo, with support from the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA). This coalition, established in 2004 by the U.S.
Attorney’s Office in Houston, has gained national and international recognition for its efforts in combating human trafficking.
