These crimes occurred at the Economy Hotel in Fulton County, where Johnson previously worked as a clerk. He is the sixth defendant to be convicted and sentenced to prison as part of a larger investigation that involves the trafficking of this juvenile victim.

“Dionte Johnson used his role as a hotel clerk to further facilitate the trafficking of a child, and now he will spend his next 15 years behind bars,” said Carr. “This conviction marks a major step in our ongoing efforts to end human trafficking and sends a strong message to those engaged in similar activities that it will not be tolerated in our state. We will use all available resources to protect victims, and those who abuse and exploit them will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

This case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit and the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

“This conviction is the result of the diligent work of the GBI’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit working in collaboration with our local, state and federal partners,” said Incoming GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Sex trafficking of minors will not be tolerated in Georgia, and we will continue to work alongside the Georgia Attorney General’s Office to seek justice for victims of human trafficking.‘’

Conviction and Sentencing of Dionte Johnson

On July 27, 2023, Johnson pleaded guilty to two counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-46(c). 

A Fulton County Superior Court Judge sentenced the defendant to 25 years, with the first 15 years to be served in prison and the remainder on strict probation. Johnson is also required to register as a sex offender.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Hannah Palmquist, who leads the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

Prior Arrest and Indictment of Dionte Johnson

Throughout the course of a larger investigation, Analyst Umniah Al Bayati with the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit found evidence to suggest that a hotel clerk had assisted in the trafficking of an underage victim. After further analysis by the agency’s HEAT Unit, the GBI arrested and charged Dionte Johnson on Feb. 14, 2023.

In his role with the Economy Hotel, Johnson provided the rooms in which the trafficking occurred. He also solicited the underage victim for sex.

Johnson was subsequently indicted in Fulton County on March 20, 2023.