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Augusta Woman Sentenced in Disturbing ‘Sex Slave’ Case

A symbolic representation of the tragic incident in Augusta, highlighting the issue of human trafficking.

News Summary

Anjelika Figueroa, 32, has received a 15-year prison sentence and 24 years of probation for her role in a horrific case where a woman was held as a ‘sex slave’ in a dog cage. This case, which saw multiple defendants, raises critical awareness about human trafficking. The victim was found severely injured and the investigation continues as community outreach efforts address associated crimes.

Augusta Woman Sentenced for Role in “Sex Slave” Case

Augusta, Georgia – Anjelika Figueroa, 32, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and 24 years of probation following her conviction for false imprisonment and related charges in a disturbing case involving a woman held as a “sex slave” in a dog cage. The court handed down the sentence after Figueroa pleaded guilty to several offenses, which included two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.

As part of a plea deal, felony charges related to kidnapping and participation in a criminal street gang were dropped, prompting a resolution before the trial phase. The case dates back to 2022 within Richmond County, where a young woman was discovered in dire circumstances, locked inside a metal cage within a residential property.

Details of the Crime

The victim, a 20-year-old woman, was found severely bruised and unclothed in the cage at a home located on Nellie Drive. The ordeal came to light when a former roommate of another defendant, Shonna Powell, visited the residence to collect personal items. Upon entering the home, the witness discovered the victim and overheard threats suggesting that others were arriving to further assault her, implying that the situation was part of a larger, coordinated attack.

In December 2022, key offender Shonna Powell was found dead in her jail cell. Powell was alleged to have been the ringleader of the operation, claiming to have “pimped” the victim out to pay off her debts. Following the revelation of the crime, law enforcement apprehended a total of five suspects, including Figueroa, Powell, and others such as Savannah Piazzi, DeMichael Dawson, and Dawson Weston.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Community Impact

Figueroa’s co-defendant, Savannah Piazzi, has also been sentenced to three years in prison along with several years of probation for her role in the incident. Trials for the remaining co-defendants, Dawson and Weston, are still pending as the legal process continues in connection with this traumatic case, which has shocked the local community.

Authorities credit the witness’s bold action in reporting the incident as instrumental in rescuing the victim. The local Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has been active in addressing associated crimes, evidenced by ongoing efforts to find two additional men wanted on separate aggravated assault charges. Furthermore, the disturbing nature of this case has raised awareness about the darker elements of human trafficking and exploitation that can occur in seemingly ordinary neighborhoods.

Context and Investigation Status

The investigation into Powell’s death in custody remains unresolved, as the District Attorney, Jared Williams, has yet to release findings from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The circumstances surrounding her death have created additional scrutiny on law enforcement protocols and prison conditions amid these serious charges against multiple individuals involved in the case.

This reported incident unfolds against the backdrop of rising concerns over violence and exploitation in various forms across communities. The victim’s identity is being withheld to protect her privacy as she navigates recovery from the traumatic ordeal.