TOPEKA, KAN. – An Ottawa man was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for driving to Missouri to meet what he believed was a mother who was willing to sell her 10-year-old daughter for sex, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. In addition, he was ordered to pay $5,000 to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
Michael David Mitchell, 64, Ottawa, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of interstate travel to engage in unlawful sexual conduct. The investigation began when investigators received information that Mitchell was looking for a woman with a minor child to become his sex slaves. Mitchell communicated with an undercover investigator posing as a broker who could find Mitchell what he wanted.
Court documents reveal Mitchell sent text messages to the undercover agent about what the victims should expect, saying, “I will take care of you, but it wont be easy on either of you. I’m a sadist and enjoy inflicting pain. Neither of you will ever be allowed to say no to me.”
In his plea, Mitchell admitted that in June 2017 he drove from Ottawa, Kan., to Independence, Mo., to meet a woman he had been told was willing to make the deal. He brought money with him to pay a $5,000 finder’s fee.
