Manassas Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison in Sex Trafficking Case

A Manassas man was sentenced to 23 years in prison Friday for his role in a sex trafficking operation, the United States Attorney’s office announced Friday.

Donyel Pier Dove, also known as “Bleek,” 28, will also have five years of supervised release for his role as a “bodyguard and driver for a gang-led prostitution business that recruited and trafficked high school girls,” authorities said.

Peter Carr, public information officer for the United States Attorney Eastern District of Virginia office, said in a release Friday that Dove also pleaded guilty to using a firearm during a crime of violence in relation to two armed robberies of 

Dove pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a juvenile on May 17, 2012. 

The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

“Dove was an associate of the Underground Gangster Crips (UGC), a Crips “set” based in Fairfax County,” a release from the attorney’s office said. “As part of his involvement with UGC, Dove served as a bodyguard and driver in the UGC prostitution enterprise and walked with prostitutes for protection on multiple occasions.”

On at least two occasions in 2009 and 2011, Dove “transported or walked with two juveniles, ages 16 and 17, while they were engaging in commercial sex acts," according to the office.

“Dove provided juveniles with drugs, held and distributed proceeds from the prostitution, and received a portion of the proceeds himself,” the release said. “Dove also purchased a credit card that was used to pay for advertisements on Backpage.com to solicit customers for the prostitution enterprise.” 

Dove is the second of five UGC members or associates who have been convicted of sex trafficking of juveniles in connection with this case.

Michael Tavon Jefferies, aka “Loc,” was sentenced July 6 to 10 years in prison. The three remaining defendants —Christopher Sylvia, Henock Ghile, and Justin Strom— are scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 17, Sept. 7, and Sept. 14, 2012, respectively.

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