A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty to taking advantage of two homeless individuals, including providing them drugs and shelter, in exchange for commercial sex acts.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 34-year-old Anthony Burris pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to two counts of enticing travel to engage in sexual activity, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who is handling 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 on a website designed to connect people for sex, 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 victim 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 this victim on the same website and transported the individual to various locations in the Western District of New York and elsewhere, including Pennsylvania, to perform commercial sex acts.

The plea 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.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 8, before Judge Skretny.