LEWES, Del. - A federal jury has convicted Clifton H. Gibbs, 68, of Lewes on multiple counts of sex trafficking and forced labor, following a seven-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
Gibbs was found guilty of seven counts of sex trafficking involving adult victims, five counts of forced labor, and one count of interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution. According to prosecutors, Gibbs exploited vulnerable individuals struggling with heroin addiction by providing drugs and shelter in exchange for forced sex work, panhandling and manual labor.
Evidence presented at trial showed Gibbs coerced victims into engaging in commercial sex acts by supplying heroin to manage withdrawal symptoms, then keeping the proceeds. He housed the women in trailers on his properties and used physical violence, threats and psychological manipulation to maintain control. Some victims were also forced to steal goods.
His co-defendant, Brooke Waters, 46, previously pleaded guilty to sex trafficking, forced labor, and interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution charges.
“This defendant preyed on individuals suffering from opiate addiction and cruelly exploited them for his own profit. The Justice Department is committed to aggressively fighting human trafficking and seeking justice for its victims.” said the Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Gibbs now faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. He will also be subject to mandatory restitution to the victims.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox and attorneys from the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit. Anyone with information about human trafficking is encouraged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit humantraffickinghotline.org.