James Anthony Stinson, age 55, of Spokane, Washington was sentenced on March 18 to 30 years in federal prison after being convicted at trial of eleven felonies related to sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of firearms. The sentence also includes ten years of supervised release and an order to pay $28,000 in restitution to victims.
The case is significant due to the combination of serious offenses that affected vulnerable members of the community. Prosecutors said Stinson used force and coercion against women for sex work while distributing illegal drugs and possessing firearms.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that law enforcement began investigating Stinson in 2021 following several controlled purchases of crack cocaine from his hotel room in Spokane Valley. A search warrant executed by FBI agents along with Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office officers led to the discovery of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl pills, multiple illegally possessed firearms, and evidence suggesting the rooms were used for sex trafficking. Authorities also found video surveillance cameras operated by Stinson as well as digital evidence showing him threatening and beating one victim. Messages on his phones indicated he used violence or threats to coerce victims into sex work for his financial gain.
Stinson had prior convictions including delivery of a controlled substance in Washington State Superior Court for which he served over ten years before being released in 2011. He was later convicted federally for possession of a firearm by an addict or unlawful user and served another ten-year sentence. At the time of his latest arrest in 2021 he was still under federal supervision.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said: “The sentence imposed here reflects the seriousness of Stinson’s actions. Crimes involving drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession are devastating to our communities. Mr. Stinson distributed controlled substances and exploited and coerced, through violence or the threat of violence, multiple vulnerable women to engage in sex work. He took advantage of these women’s addiction and other personal vulnerabilities for his own benefit. Mr. Stinson is a violent predator with a lengthy criminal history, and I am grateful for the work of many law enforcement partners whose efforts led to Mr. Stinson being taken off the streets.”
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge at FBI Seattle field office said: “As this investigation into Mr. Stinson progressed, it revealed even more crimes all harmful to the public… This case highlights the importance of the FBI’s Spokane Child Exploitation/Human Trafficking Task Force… instrumental in bringing Mr. Stinson to justice.”
The investigation involved cooperation between local police agencies as part of a multi-jurisdictional task force focused on child exploitation and human trafficking.
