Investigators speak in court hearing for Milwaukee man charged with human trafficking

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A man accused of abusing women as sex slaves in a Milwaukee home appeared in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.

Thirty-nine-year-old Austin Chronister was bound over for trial on charges of human trafficking, domestic abuse, sexual assault, and false imprisonment.

Chronister appeared at the hearing out of custody, as he posted $30,000 of a $75,000 cash bond last week.

He's accused of abusing multiple women at a home on 30th and W. State Street, where investigators say he hosted sex parties. Chronister called it "House Saint Pierre."

"She disclosed incidents of physical abuse, mental abuse, and sexual assault that occurred without her consent," said investigator Sarah Bloom from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, describing an interview with a victim. "She was interested in the BDSM relationship, however the things she was reporting had absolutely nothing to do with their intimate relationship or BDSM agreements."

Investigators said victims were required to sign contracts to live in the home, follow strict house rules, and engage in sexual acts.

In court, they detailed incidents of assault, including rape and violence.

"He continued to, as she described, bang her head against the floor, the landing, feeling like he was crushing her head like a pancake," said Detective Michael Walker of the Milwaukee Police Department.

Chronister's attorney argued the human trafficking charge wasn't viable, stating the women willingly signed contracts to live in the home.

"They knew what they were doing. It was only these specific incidences of assault that were the issue, but that specific instance doesn't mean that they were then trafficked," said defense attorney Nicole Muller.

The state and judge disagreed with Muller, saying this case fits the definition of human trafficking.

"These were done for the benefit of the defendant, they were done using bodily harm or threat to commit bodily harm, and he harbored them within the house," said prosecuting attorney Kenneth Olstinski.

Chronister will now move to a plea hearing on April 10.