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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?
What happened
From 2002 to 2008 (exact dates unknown) Michael L. Buck “recruited, harbored, transported, provided and obtained females to engage in commercial sex acts through threats of serious harm, physical restraint and force.” On May 12, 2010, Buck pleaded guilty to trafficking women into involuntary servitude and coerced commercial sex. Buck admitted he obtained females to engage in commercial sex acts, and that he caused them to engage in commercial sex acts through threats of serious harm, physical restraint, and force. Buck utilized a phone service, Quest, to advertise the women for sexual acts in Kansas City, Mo., and in Independence, Mo., and obtained customers from both Missouri and Kansas. He sold the women in such locations as apartments, houses, motels and strip clubs. According to court documents, Buck would often beat, burn, choke, cut and tie up his female victims if they refused to engage in prostitution
Response and intervention
Michael L. Buck, 37, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to 15 years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum penalty. The court ordered the sentence to be served consecutively to his remaining state sentences. The court will rule on the matter of restitution for Buck’s victims at a later date. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia L. Cordes. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project. Unknown how the victims were first discovered. No aftercare was reported.