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Columbus man sentenced to prison for human trafficking, involuntary manslaughter

Paul Chiles, aka “Tommy Guns,” was given a minimum of 14 years.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus man has been sentenced to prison for providing a lethal dose of narcotics to a human trafficking victim.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Monday that 38-year-old Paul Chiles, aka “Tommy Guns,” was given a minimum of 14 years after pleading guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of trafficking in persons.

Chiles will also be required to register with a county sheriff as a Tier II sexual offender every six months for 25 years following his release from prison. 

“Traffickers exploit vulnerabilities, leveraging addiction to control their victims – evil that will now be restrained by prison bars,” Yost said.

Chiles was indicted in September 2020 following an investigation by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which connected him to the death of 21-year-old Cecilia Riegel. She died of an overdose of illegal narcotics provided by Chiles.

The task force’s investigation identified five victims, including Riegel, whom Chiles had exploited and trafficked for sex.

Yost said Chiles targeted vulnerable women who had a chemical addition and then forced them to engage in paid sexual services for which he profited.

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