Dallas man charged in New York with sex trafficking and branding of Texas teens

NEW YORK – A 29-year-old Dallas man has been charged in New York with sex trafficking and brutally abusing two teenage Texas girls. Prosecutors described the abuse as “horrific” and noted that the man – Donald Roberson – even tattooed his nickname, “Blue Cheese,” on their faces.

In a press release, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said Roberson treated the teens — ages 17 and 18 — as his personal property by “branding them with his nickname and forcing them into a life of exploitation and violence.”

Roberson is accused of forcing the teens to prostitute themselves and giving him the proceeds, Gonzalez said.

“The cruelty these victims endured is horrific and we will do everything we can to ensure he is held accountable for the inhumanity he committed,” Gonzalez said.

Roberson was indicted on multiple charges, including child trafficking, promoting prostitution, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal sexual conduct, sexual misconduct and sexual abuse.

Authorities said Roberson met the 17-year-old on Instagram in Dallas and drove the victims to New York on Aug. 16. Gonzalez said Roberson rented a room at the Hotel Sunborn in East New York and allegedly forced the teens to “walk the lane” and engage in prostitution.

On Aug. 20, Roberson took the teens to a hair salon and had his nickname tattooed on their faces, Gonzalez said.

“It is alleged that later that day, in McCarren Park, the suspect got into an altercation with the 17-year-old victim, punched her in the face, pulled her hair and kicked her in the face, causing her to seize up,” the release said. “He also allegedly stabbed her with scissors.”

Additionally, on August 22, the victim was “treated for a viral strep throat infection at Kings County Hospital, caused by allegedly being forced to perform sexual acts. After leaving the hospital, the suspect allegedly searched for the 18-year-old in East New York, and upon finding her, he allegedly choked and beat her until she cried and could not breathe.”

On Aug. 23, the 17-year-old girl locked herself in Roberson’s vehicle after getting into an argument with him, the district attorney’s office said. Roberson is accused of breaking a car window, “raining glass on the victim, causing lacerations, and then striking her leg with a lighter, burning her,” the news release said.

Roberson was arrested after one of the victims texted someone in Texas for help, giving his name, hotel address and room number.

After being arraigned on the 17-count indictment, Roberson was ordered held without bail. His next court appearance is Oct. 23, the district attorney’s office said.