A US man who was on the FBI’s most wanted list has pleaded guilty to a serious child sex trafficking charge, admitting to exploiting minors in exchange for money and gifts for years.Fields, 61, pleaded guilty to one count of child sex trafficking. He admitted allowing a co-defendant to have contact with a minor when she was 14 years old in exchange for cash and other valuables, according to prosecutors.The abuse reportedly occurred between 2013 and 2016, during which time he received items including money, cars, motorcycles, holiday gifts and vacations.
who is Donald Eugene Fields II
Donald Eugene Fields II (born July 9, 1964) is an American former fugitive who was named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on May 25, 2023. He is the 531st person on the list.Fields, who is originally from Kentucky, lived in the greater St. Louis area of Union City, Mo., before fleeing, where he worked as a tree trimmer and an independent used car dealer.Authorities said he was involved in child sex trafficking from 2013 to 2017. According to prosecutors, he attempted to recruit and provide minors for commercial sex acts in exchange for money, motorcycles, vacations and gifts. He was arrested on January 25, 2025, following a traffic stop in Lady Lake, Florida.
The role of co-defendants
Co-defendant Theodore “Ted” John Sartori Sr. allegedly engaged in illegal sexual activity with minors on multiple occasions during this period. Officials said he provided financial benefits and funded travel to Fields in exchange for access to the victims.In 2016, Sartori financed a trip to Florida and drove a minor there with the intent to engage in sexual activity. Prosecutors said Fields directed the minor to follow the rules.
Arrested after many years on the run
Fields was indicted in December 2022, but failed to appear in court and was placed on the FBI’s most wanted list.He remained a fugitive until January 2025, when he was arrested after police identified him during a routine traffic stop in Florida.Fields is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Co-defendants have been sentenced
Sartori, 65, was serving a 10-year sentence after previously pleading guilty to intent to commit unlawful sexual conduct.In addition to the federal case, Fields faces multiple state charges, including child sexual abuse, rape and witness tampering in Missouri. Prosecutors said the victims in the federal case are also linked to the state lawsuit.The case was investigated by the FBI and state and local law enforcement agencies.
