A former Delaware death row inmate has been sentenced to life in prison in Hawaii after a federal jury found him guilty of sex-trafficking offenses involving multiple victims, including a minor. Isaiah McCoy, 37, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was convicted in April of four counts of sex trafficking, two counts of obstructing a sex-trafficking investigation, seven counts of interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises, and one count of interstate travel for prostitution purposes. In addition to the life sentence, the court ordered McCoy to pay $1,017,241 in restitution.
McCoy, who once faced execution in Delaware before his murder conviction was overturned and he was later acquitted at retrial, was found to have compelled victims to perform hundreds of commercial sex acts between 2019 and 2021. Evidence presented during the 12-day trial showed that McCoy targeted women and girls who were struggling financially or emotionally, promising romance, stability, and a luxurious lifestyle. Those promises were used to gain their trust while allowing him to identify their vulnerabilities.
Once under his control, victims were subjected to a strict and abusive set of rules. McCoy required them to call him “Daddy” or “Zeus,” share their cell phone locations, and report the money they earned. When victims failed to follow his rules or did not bring in what he demanded, McCoy responded with violence. Testimony detailed repeated assaults, including burning a victim on her arms, stomping on victims’ heads and bodies, and smashing a victim’s head against a car door before carrying her unconscious through a hotel lobby. Several victims sought treatment at hospitals after the attacks, and investigators described an atmosphere in which they believed they were constantly watched and had no way to escape.
Victims were required to work at all hours, even while sick or hungry, and were forced to hand over all earnings. McCoy used the proceeds to purchase high-end clothing and accessories while leaving his victims with nothing. Although he occasionally bought small items for them, these were described as rewards intended to reinforce his control.
The investigation was led by federal authorities with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department.
