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Avery is charged with prostituting two girls and 10 women over at least eight years. The counts could bring up to life in prison, if convicted.
Avery, 44, ran a ruthless prostitution ring across the country, pimping girls as young as 14 and beating and torturing them when they didn’t make him enough money, according to court records.
Avery, who was living in Las Vegas, was charged in August 2009. More counts followed. The case then languished as Avery changed lawyers. He also filed a lawsuit against Kenosha County for allegations of civil rights violations related to his incarceration. The case was dismissed.
Avery represents the highest profile case in a string of sex trafficking cases taken on by the U.S. attorney's office in Milwaukee, the first such cases in the state.
Milwaukee County prosecutors also have filed a series of sex trafficking cases in state court as the issue of such exploitation, especially of children, gains in prominence.
Avery pleaded not guilty in 2009. He is scheduled to change his plea before U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman early next month, according to court notes from an appearance last week. However, there is no plea agreement posted yet, which would show what counts Avery would plead guilty to. Avery's trial is set for next year if he does not plead guilty.
Avery was arrested in Las Vegas in 2009. Also charged in the case was Shamika Evans, 28, known as "Mika" and described as his top prostitute, who has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify in a trial.
Avery gained wide attention as a pimp, appearing in documentaries and on "The Jerry Springer Show." In the 1999 "Pimps Up, Ho's Down" film, Avery spoke about how to be a pimp, at one point saying, "Let me pimp or let me die." He wore an enormous ring with a pimp holding prostitutes on a leash.
Avery said on websites he has never been a pimp, but an actor playing a pimp.
Avery surfaced in the 2008 extortion and bribery trial of former Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee. On recorded calls, McGee sought money from Avery, who owned a club on N. King Drive called Marjani's. McGee helped Avery get a special hearing on a liquor license for the club, a City Hall official testified.
McGee said he needed money for his rent and Avery offered to fly McGee to Las Vegas, saying, "I'll be shaking your hand with something beautiful," according to the call. Avery was not charged in the McGee case and did not testify.
Avery owned other businesses in Milwaukee, including a shoe and clothing store. In Las Vegas, he invested in auto and home leasing businesses.
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