A Michigan man has been sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and raping an Italian au pair, luring and raping a Kansas woman and sexually exploiting two teenage girls.
Arisknight Winfree, 32, of East Lansing, targeted his victims through several social media applications and an online au pair service.
US Attorney Mark Totten saying of his sentencing: ‘Arisknight Winfree is a sexual predator whose horrendous acts caused immeasurable harm to the women and girls he preyed on.
“This life sentence is necessary to protect the community and bring justice to the survivors.”
Authorities revealed that in September 2022, the rapist had falsely posted ads seeking au pairs to care for his seven-year-old niece through AuPair.com, a website service that connects young women with potential host families.
Arisknight Winfree, 32, of East Lansing, Michigan, has been sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and raping an Italian au pair; luring and raping a Kansas woman and sexually exploiting two teenagers
Nearly a month later, the victim, whom officials identified as SD, flew from Italy to Detroit and then took a bus to Winfree’s residence in East Lansing.
He had allegedly told the young victim that his fake family loved nature and the outdoors and that she would have a lot of fun texting.
When she arrived home, officials said Winfree made her clean her house before handcuffing her hands behind her back, placing a ball gag in her mouth and raping her.
The man also told a friend, Paul Heiselman, 33, of Ann Arbor, that he intended to kill her and dispose of her body to avoid prosecution, but never did.
Under the same false pretense of looking for an au pair, Winfree also lured another woman from Kansas to her Michigan home in September 2022.
He had allegedly told the young victim that his fake family loved nature and the outdoors and that she was going to have a lot of fun texting.
The victim, identified as AS, observed cameras installed throughout the house and all the windows covered with paper and cardboard.
Additionally, he noticed several knives and guns around the house and there were no children on the property.
A few days later, AS’s family called the East Lansing Police Department and requested a welfare check.
With the help of authorities, the victim was able to leave the house with his belongings and return to Kansas.
In November 2022, the serial abuser recorded himself having sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl whom he had previously forced to send naked images on Instagram.
He had also convinced a 16-year-old girl to perform sexual acts and send him images and videos via SnapChat and then via WhatsApp.
He was found guilty of kidnapping, coercion and seduction, attempted coercion and seduction and production of child pornography.
The abuser also told Heiselman that he wanted to use one of the girls to recruit more high school girls to sexually exploit.
Heiselman was charged with possession of child pornography and ended up receiving 41 months in prison.
‘Arisknight Winfree’s sentencing marks a significant step toward healing for all those who suffered from her callous and heinous criminal acts.
‘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 collective investigative efforts of members of the Michigan FBI, the East Lansing Police Department, and the prosecution efforts of the Western Michigan U.S. Attorney’s Office prevented Mr. Winfree from committing another crime,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge. charge of the FBI said in Michigan.
He was found guilty of kidnapping, coercion and seduction, attempted coercion and seduction and production of child pornography.
It is unclear whether he will be eligible for parole in the future.