FBI: Two Men Charged With Murder in the Course of Sex-Trafficking at Open-Air “Penn Track” in Brooklyn, Related Crimes
Earlier today, a seven-count indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Omari Scott, also known as “Prince” and “Sir Prince,” and Michael Simmons, also known as “Victory,” with murder in the course of sex trafficking, sex trafficking by force and related crimes. The charges stem from the defendants’ trafficking of women and promoting prostitution with customers in cars, hotels and along a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn known as the “Penn Track” which has operated for years as an open-air commercial sex market. In the spring of 2023, Scott violently punished a trafficking victim who attempted to leave his control to work instead for Cleveland Clay, another individual who had women working for him in prostitution on the Penn Track. Scott and Simmons decided to murder Clay, which Simmons carried out by shooting him multiple times at close range on May 1, 2023. Scott was arrested earlier today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo. Simmons is currently serving a sentence on unrelated charges and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrest and charges.
“As alleged, the defendants conspired to brazenly murder a rival for control of a victim they perceived to be their property in the course of sex trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office is working alongside our federal and state law enforcement partners to prosecute the perpetrators who exploit vulnerable women for profit and we will provide support for these victims who have been harmed.”
Mr. Peace also expressed his appreciation to the New York City Department of Corrections, the New York City Human Resources Administration, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the New York County District Attorney’s Office for their valuable assistance with the case.
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith said, “Human lives are not pawns for criminals to manipulate for their own cruel wishes. Omari Scott and Michael Simmons’s desire to establish control over their sex trafficking operation extended beyond violence against their victims, leading to the alleged murder of their rival. Their alleged actions – sexually exploiting women and conspiring to take a life of another individual – show a blatant disregard for humanity. The FBI will continue its efforts to pursue and bring to justice those who prey upon vulnerable populations with violence.”
“It is unequivocally detestable to compound the loathsome act of sex trafficking by allegedly murdering a business rival,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “I commend everyone at the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District and the FBI’s New York Field Office for their continued partnership in this case. The NYPD and our colleagues remain steadfast in holding accountable anyone who seeks to profit from the abuse and exploitation of others.”
As alleged in court documents, Scott and Simmons both recruited women to work in prostitution on their behalf along the Penn Track. Scott used threats and violence to force at least two victims to engage in commercial sex work and provide him with the proceeds. For example, in a conversation obtained by law enforcement, Scott warned a victim that he would “knock [her] out for disrespecting me,” and, on another occasion, told an associate on a recorded call that he was “beating this b---- up tonight” for failing to work quickly enough to locate customers.
On April 30, 2023, when Scott learned that a victim planned to leave him and work with Clay, he was captured on video violently dragging the victim by her hair into his car, and later told an associate on a recorded call, “I’m bout to violate that b----. . . I’m about to do her something crazy. . . I’m not respecting this shit. . . . I’m about to kill this b----!” Early the next morning, Scott and Simmons were captured on video engaged in a heated argument with Clay. Less than three hours later, Scott and Simmons were captured on video outside of a laundromat near the Penn Track before Simmons walked off to kill Clay in a parking lot, shooting him at least five times at close range. When Simmons returned, the laundromat video captured Simmons telling Scott, “He’s down. . . he’s down!” Clay succumbed to his injuries and died later that day.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the sex trafficking charges, the defendants face a minimum term of 15 years in prison, and up to life imprisonment. If convicted of the murder charge, the defendants face up to life imprisonment, and are eligible for the death penalty.
If you are a victim of trafficking—whether by Scott, Simmons or someone else—and have information to provide, please contact the FBI, which is prepared to help you regardless of your immigration status, at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorney Erin Reid, Anna Karamigios and Joshua Dugan are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Anna November and Ryan Costley.