Beaufort County man pleads guilty to federal sex trafficking of adult, two minors

BOSTON — A South Carolina man pleaded guilty on Monday, August 17, 2026 in federal court to a multi-state sex trafficking conspiracy that victimized an adult and two minors, officials announced.

Alexander Smalls, 27, of Beaufort County, S.C., pleaded guilty to charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; sex trafficking of a minor; and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled his sentencing for Dec. 9, 2026.

According to federal prosecutors, the conspiracy took place between January and August 2023. Smalls, along with co-conspirator Christy Parker and others, coerced an adult victim into commercial sex across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and South Carolina, keeping all the profits for their own financial gain.

Exploitation from jail

Smalls had been in custody on unrelated state charges in South Carolina since March 2023. Investigators revealed that even while incarcerated, Smalls continued to direct the trafficking operation from jail.

In jail calls, Smalls encouraged Parker to continue selling the victim, demanding they make at least $1,000 a night and instructing Parker to post online advertisements every two hours. Commissary records confirmed Smalls received proceeds from the trafficking enterprise while in prison.

Coercion and violent threats

The investigation revealed that Parker moved in with the victim—a childhood friend—under the pretense of needing a place to live. Soon after, Smalls and Parker coerced the victim into quitting her job and forced her to sign a “profit-sharing contract.”

To maintain control, Parker physically assaulted the victim, while Smalls threatened to shoot her, have family members harm her, and have authorities take away her minor child. Smalls also called the victim from jail, threatening to have someone beat her if she did not comply.

“Alexander Smalls took extraordinary steps to target and exploit a vulnerable victim and continued to do so from jail,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. ”His ruthless predilection to exploit others for his own financial gain is simply heartless and reprehensible.”

Sentences and remaining suspects

Smalls was indicted in June 2024 alongside five co-conspirators. While Smalls has pleaded guilty, the allegations against the remaining defendants are still active, and they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Smalls faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison for the charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, as well as a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for the sex trafficking of a minor.

The Somerset Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations assisted in the investigation.

If you or someone you know is experiencing or impacted by human trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.