This story comes out of Charlotte, NC, where Evelyn Mack, the founder of a now-closed private school, was sentenced to federal prison on Tuesday morning for her role in a human trafficking ring. She will spend the next 18 months behind bars.
Investigators say that Mack started the Evelyn Mack Academy and promised foreign teens athletic scholarships to play at prominent schools in the United States. Government prosecutors said those athletes were then handed over to recruiters and basketball coaches. Some students Were sent to towns over a 100 miles away. Some went missing for months. At least one athlete recruited in the scheme is now homeless.
Prosecutors said Mack made around $75,000 by hiding 75 foreign student-athletes who were in the country illegally.
According to WOSCTV.com:
Mack faced up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony charge of concealing, harboring or shielding unlawful aliens. She admitted to playing a role in the human trafficking ring.
After her sentencing, Mack left the courtroom in a wheelchair. She has Parkinson’s, a fact the judge considered when he gave her leniency.
She also gave prosecutors the names of coaches and recruiters who were all eager to find talent.
While Mack has been brought to justices, coaches and recruiters in the scheme to traffick young athletes are still at large.
