A 25-year-old Tarrant County woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to recruiting girls into sex trafficking, forcing them to engage in prostitution, and controlling them through threats and intimidation, prosecutors announced Monday.

Emily Hutchins admitted to aggravated promotion of prostitution, a serious felony that stems from her role in organizing and profiting from a sex trafficking operation in 2023. According to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, Hutchins recruited multiple girls, arranged online advertisements for their services, and compelled them to have sex for money while she kept the majority of the proceeds.

Prosecutors said Hutchins exerted power over the victims by manipulating their fears and vulnerabilities. When the girls resisted or questioned her demands, Hutchins allegedly threatened them repeatedly, warning they would be left homeless or exposed to their friends and families if they refused to comply.

The threats were not idle, authorities said. According to the case file, Hutchins used housing insecurity and social pressure as tools of control, ensuring the victims felt trapped and dependent on her. Investigators described a pattern of coercion that went beyond financial exploitation, creating an environment where the girls believed disobedience would result in devastating personal consequences.

The District Attorney’s Office said Hutchins handled nearly every aspect of the prostitution operation. She recruited the girls, established their online presence, scheduled encounters, and collected the money. The victims were left with little control over their own earnings or their ability to leave the situation.

Law enforcement officials credited the Arlington Police Department with uncovering and building the case, which ultimately led to Hutchins’ arrest and prosecution. Prosecutors said the investigation revealed clear evidence that Hutchins knowingly and intentionally promoted prostitution by force, threats, and intimidation.

By pleading guilty, Hutchins avoided a trial but accepted responsibility for the crimes outlined by prosecutors. The 30-year sentence reflects the severity of the offense and the lasting harm caused to the victims, officials said. Under Texas law, aggravated promotion of prostitution carries steep penalties, particularly when coercion and exploitation are involved.