Manassas Gang Associate Sentenced to 276 Months for Role in Sex Trafficking High School Girls and for Committing Multiple Gun Crimes

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Donyel Pier Dove, aka “Bleek,” 28, of Manassas, Virginia, was sentenced today to 276 months in prison, followed by 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. As part of his sentencing, Dove also was held responsible for conducting two armed robberies in Manassas, Virginia, and for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon during a burglary in Fairfax County.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II, Attorney General of Virginia; Colonel David Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Douglas W. Keen, Manassas City Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.

“Donyel Dove was convicted for his role in a juvenile sex trafficking ring that recruited eight young girls to engage in his street gang’s prostitution business. The brutality and callousness of traffickers who prostitute minors should result in long sentences to place them behind bars where they can’t hurt our youth. Mr. Dove will have the next 23 years to reflect on his evil crime.”

“Today, we sent a clear message that participation in human trafficking at any level simply will not be tolerated in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Attorney General Cuccinelli. “Though nothing can take away the hurt and suffering the girls and their families have suffered as a result of Dove’s behavior, it is our hope that today’s sentencing will help them in their challenging journey to heal and move on.”

“Today’s sentence demonstrates that those who strong-arm young girls into prostitution will pay the price for their actions,” said Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. “Along with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to combat all forms of child exploitation through the pursuit of individuals who commit these heinous crimes.”

On May 17, 2012, Dove pled guilty to sex trafficking of a juvenile. According to court records, Dove was an associate of the Underground Gangster Crips (UGC), a Crips “set” based in Fairfax County, Virginia. 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. Dove provided the juveniles with drugs, held and distributed proceeds from the prostitution, and received a portion of the proceeds himself. Dove also purchased a credit card that was used to pay for advertisements on Backpage.com to solicit customers for the prostitution enterprise.

Dove also pled guilty to using a firearm during a crime of violence in relation to two armed robberies of 7-Eleven stores in Manassas, Virginia, in March 2012. In addition, Dove possessed a gun during a March 2012 burglary in Fairfax, Virginia, despite being a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms.

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 on July 6, 2012 to 120 months in prison for his role in the enterprise. The three remaining defendants (Christopher Sylvia, Henock Ghile, and Justin Strom) are scheduled for sentencing on August 17, September 7, and September 14, 2012, respectively.

This case was investigated by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Manassas City Police Department, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with assistance from the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force. Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney Marc J. Birnbaum and Assistant United States Attorney Inayat Delawala are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Founded in 2004, the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force is a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies—along with nongovernmental organizations—dedicated to combating human trafficking and related crimes.