Tyrone Stylistic Crooks was charged in a 12-count indictment unsealed in federal court in Central Islip on Mar. 12 with multiple counts of sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, and transportation for prostitution. The charges allege that Crooks trafficked five victims, including three minor girls aged between 14 and 17 years old, at hotels across Long Island and other locations. Crooks was arrested the previous day and is scheduled to be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the exploitation of minors through sex trafficking in local communities. Authorities say the investigation demonstrates their commitment to prosecuting such crimes aggressively.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Newark Field Office, and Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. of the FBI New York Field Office announced the arrest and charges. “As alleged, the defendant preyed on vulnerable members of the community, subjecting his victims to threats, violence, and manipulation so that he could sell their bodies for his own profit,” said Nocella. “Today’s arrest demonstrates our Office’s unwavering commitment to aggressively prosecute sex traffickers, especially when minors are involved.”
Roddy said: “Cases like this remind us that children in our communities are still being exploited by traffickers who see them as commodities rather than young people with futures. Our priority is identifying victims, protecting them, and holding those responsible fully accountable. If someone sees a young person who may be in danger or under someone else’s control, we urge them to report it to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. A single call could help protect a child from ongoing abuse.” Barnacle added: “Tyrone Crooks allegedly threatened, assaulted, and forced three minors to engage in sexual acts and produce sexually explicit content for his own personal gain. Through his alleged trafficking of these young girls, they were subjected to significant cruelty and unthinkable sexual abuse. The FBI continues to coordinate with our federal and local law enforcement partners to apprehend sexual predators and traffickers targeting vulnerable victims, especially children.”
According to court filings described by prosecutors, since at least 2021 Crooks operated as a pimp across Brooklyn, Queens, and several Long Island towns including Westbury and Huntington. He allegedly recruited out-of-state minors using online communications for prostitution work in New York; managed travel arrangements; posted sexually exploitative images online; set prices for commercial sex acts; arranged prostitution dates; controlled earnings; demanded compliance from victims; physically assaulted some—including one who was pregnant—and produced child pornography.
If convicted on all counts involving force or coercion against minors or adults for sex trafficking or sexual exploitation offenses detailed in the indictment—which remain allegations—Crooks faces mandatory minimum sentences ranging from ten years up to life imprisonment.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts according to its official website. The office maintains locations in Brooklyn and Central Islip per its official website while handling federal crime prosecutions as well as civil matters representation according to its official website. Breon Peace leads the office as United States Attorney as noted on its official website. Its jurisdiction covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County as indicated on its official website, operating as the designated federal prosecutor’s office for these areas according to its official website.
Assistant United States Attorneys Megan E. Farrell and Molly N. Delaney are leading prosecution efforts through specialized sections focused on human trafficking cases.
