Michigan man convicted of sexually assaulting Italian au pair and exploiting other women

(CBS DETROIT) — A 31-year-old East Lansing man will spend the rest of his life in prison No objections to federal charges related to the kidnapping and sexual exploitation of teenagers.

Arisknight Arkin-Everett Winfree was sentenced in a Lansing court Monday morning.

In February 2023, Winfree was charged with kidnapping, coercion and enticement of a person to engage in illegal sexual activity, attempted coercion and enticement, and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Earlier this year he claimed to have no objections on all five counts.

“The sentencing of Arisknight Winfree represents a significant step toward healing for all who suffered from his callous and despicable criminal actions,” FBI Michigan Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson said in a news release. “Individuals who engage in the sexual exploitation of minors will be investigated and arrested by the FBI and our law enforcement partners in Michigan. The joint investigative efforts of members of the FBI Michigan, the East Lansing Police Department, and the criminal prosecution efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” The Western Michigan Office prevented Mr. Winfree from committing another crime.

Winfree posted a false ad on AuPair.com to lure au pairs to his home where he planned to sexually abuse them. According to federal officials, an Italian woman came to his home and was then handcuffed, bound and raped.

Winfree then told his friend, a 33-year-old man from Ann Arbor, that he planned to kill her and dispose of her body to avoid prosecution.

According to federal officials, Winfree also recorded sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl and convinced her and a 16-year-old girl to send him nude images on social media apps.

“Arisknight Winfree is a sexual predator whose heinous actions caused immeasurable harm to the women and girls he exploited,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement. “This life sentence is necessary to protect the community and provide some measure of justice for the survivors.”