A vigilant employee at River City Casino in St. Louis played a crucial role in unveiling a self-identified “pimp” who had been grooming a teenage girl since she was 14 and was trafficked for sex from a children’s home to the casino hotel.
Mack Mitchell entered a guilty plea on July 21 in U.S. District Court, St. Louis, admitting to one count of sex trafficking of a minor just a day before his trial was scheduled regarding charges related to his alleged exploitation of a 16-year-old runaway.
As part of a plea arrangement, prosecutors agreed to drop three other charges, including conspiracy and obstruction, while proposing a joint recommendation for a 12-year prison term.
A statement from River City Casino to Fox 2 St. Louis highlighted how a diligent employee observed dubious activities and promptly notified the property’s security team, which then alerted law enforcement.
The casino reported that this employee’s quick actions were instrumental in initiating the investigation that culminated in federal charges.
Mitchell and his co-defendant, Angel Henderson, were originally charged by federal prosecutors in June 2024.
‘Got One!’
Mitchell confessed that he first connected with the victim, referred to in court as A.T., on the social media platform Tagged when she was approximately 14. By the time she turned 16 and resided in foster care under the Missouri Department of Social Services, he had reportedly groomed her for commercial sexual activities.
On February 23, 2024, the teenager messaged Mitchell asking for a ride so they could “make us some money,” court documents indicate.
Mitchell responded almost immediately, then sent a text to an unnamed woman stating:
“Got one.”
He arranged an Uber to pick up the girl from Epworth Children’s Home and transported her from a St. Louis gas station to River City Casino.
At the casino, he introduced her to a woman who took pictures of the teenager and published online advertisements offering sexual acts, prosecutors confirmed.
The girl engaged in commercial sex acts at the casino, with Mitchell collecting the profits, according to the plea deal.
Casinos as a Target
Sex traffickers frequently target casinos due to their continuous influx of potential clients, significant cash flow, anonymity, and on-site hotels that facilitate commercial sexual activities.
River City emphasized to FOX 2 that its personnel undergo a comprehensive human trafficking training program, educating employees on the prevalence of this issue and identifying key warning signs.