Self-Proclaimed Pimp Sentenced In Gwinnett Trafficking Case, D.A. Says

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A self-proclaimed pimp from Florida was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being accused of forcing an 18-year-old woman to perform sex acts for money, according to the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office on Thursday.

A Gwinnett County jury found on Wednesday Max Francois Joseph, 34, guilty of three counts of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, two counts of keeping a place of prostitution and one count of misdemeanor pimping, the district attorney's office said in a news release.

Gwinnett County Jail records show Joseph is from Apopka, Florida.

Joseph is accused of making the woman perform sex acts in exchange for money at two Norcross motels, and is also accused of photographing the woman in lingerie and advertising her on multiple websites in 2022.

The district attorney's office said Joseph trafficked the woman at DeKalb County and Florida motels. According to the office, Joseph testified that he was a pimp.

Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Deborah Fluker sentenced Joseph to 50 years in prison followed by 10 years on probation. He also must register as a sex offender for life.

“The jury deliberated for only about an hour before finding this man guilty of exploiting this young woman,” Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said in the release. “Our Special Victims Unit prosecutors made a clear and compelling case against this defendant. We are grateful to take this man off the street and stop the havoc he has brought to this family and to other victims.”