DALLAS COUNTY, TX – Obed Mengistu has been found guilty of Trafficking of Persons under the age of 18 and sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Dallas County jury. The swift verdict came in less than an hour, despite the victim, who had given birth to Mengistu's child, testifying for the defense due to his manipulative influence.
The investigation, led by Texas DPS, Garland Police Department, and the FBI, began after a cyber tip indicated a missing juvenile victim was appearing in sexually explicit advertisements for commercial sex. Texas DPS special agents used geolocation to link a phone number from the advertisements to Mengistu.
Authorities later located Mengistu leaving a Garland apartment with the missing juvenile, who was under the age of 18, and determined he was trafficking her. The juvenile was recovered and offered services by Traffick911, but she refused and reportedly returned to her trafficker shortly thereafter.
During the trial, lead prosecutor Klarissa Diaz, supported by second chair Soinkne Lewis, third chair Haley Pratt, DA Investigator Abigail Cruz, and DA Victim Advocate Roquel Mayhorn, presented the case. Despite the victim testifying on behalf of Mengistu, the jury heard testimony from survivor leader and trafficking expert Rebecca Bender. Bender educated the jury on various human trafficking concepts, including the complex reasons why victims often remain with their traffickers, a phenomenon often associated with "Romeo pimps."
The jury ultimately rejected the defense's narrative, finding Mengistu guilty and imposing the 20-year prison sentence.
The mugshot included is from an April, 2025, arrest after assaulting hospital personnel.
