Executive Summary
- Chad Cornelius Seymore was sentenced to life in prison for sex trafficking by force and money laundering.
- Co-defendant Kimberly Robinson Gandy received a 25-year prison sentence for her role in the operation.
- The perpetrators exploited women by paying bail bonds and targeting individuals with drug addictions.
- The operation spanned Alabama and Northern Florida, involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Chad Cornelius Seymore, 50, of Dothan, Alabama, has been sentenced to life in federal prison for orchestrating a sex trafficking scheme that operated across Alabama and into northern Florida, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. Seymore, also known as the “Circle City Pimp,” pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and money laundering conspiracy.
Federal prosecutors stated that Seymore trafficked women over a four-year period, utilizing a network that extended into Destin and Panama City Beach, Florida. His co-defendant, Kimberly Robinson Gandy, 48, a native of Gulfport, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty by a federal jury in June regarding her role in the operation.
According to court documents and statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the pair utilized exploitative methods to recruit victims. Seymore and his accomplices frequently paid bail bonds for women detained in county jails, subsequently forcing them into sex trafficking to repay the debt. Additionally, investigators noted that Seymore recruited women struggling with drug addiction through online advertisements and at hotels, using threats and physical abuse to maintain control.
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, “Every month must be Human Trafficking Prevention Month.” The investigation revealed that online money exchange platforms were used to transfer illicit funds generated by the trafficking operation. The prosecution was part of a Homeland Security Task Force initiative involving the FBI, HSI, and multiple sheriff’s offices across Alabama and Florida.
FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley described the actions of Seymore and Gandy as “calculated decisions that caused significant and lasting harm to numerous victims.” Carley affirmed that the agency will continue to prioritize identifying and deterring individuals who exploit vulnerable populations.
Judicial Outcome and Law Enforcement Strategy
The imposition of a life sentence for Seymore and a significant 25-year term for Gandy reflects the federal judicial system’s stringent application of sentencing guidelines regarding sex trafficking involving force and coercion. This case illustrates the critical role of inter-agency cooperation, as the conviction resulted from a joint investigation spanning multiple jurisdictions, including the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Dothan Police Department. Authorities noted that while these convictions have been secured, the broader fight against human trafficking networks continues. It is important to note that while these specific defendants have been convicted, in the broader scope of ongoing investigations, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
