U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that Anthony Burris, 35, of Ellicottville, who was convicted of two counts of enticing travel to engage in sexual activity, was sentenced to serve 7 1/2 years in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who handled the case, stated that between January and March 11, 2021, Burris coerced a woman suffering from drug addiction, to perform commercial sex acts. He did so by threatening the use of physical violence, and by supplying, and at times withholding, quantities of controlled substances.

Burris, who knew the woman was physically addicted to controlled substances, also provided transportation, housing, a cellular phone, and food to her, as she was homeless during this time.

In exchange, the woman performed commercial sex acts and gave the proceeds to Burris, who posted online advertisements online, which contained sexually suggestive photographs of the woman.

Burris then transported the woman to various locations in the Western District of New York and elsewhere, including to Pennsylvania, to engage in these commercial sex acts.

Between June 2020, and March 11, 2021, Burris coerced a second victim to perform commercial sex acts, once again threatening physical violence, and providing money for the purchase of controlled substances, and by supplying, and at times withholding, quantities of controlled substances.

Like the first woman, Burris knew this individual was physically addicted to controlled substances and homeless. This individual performed commercial sex acts and gave the proceeds to the defendant. Burris also posted ads for the individual online and transported the person to various locations in the Western District of New York and elsewhere, including Pennsylvania, to perform commercial sex acts.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James B. Quattrone, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Chamberlin, and the Millcreek, PA, Police Department, under the direction of Chief Carter Mook.