Milwaukee man charged with sexual assault, trafficking in violent case

Prosecutors have charged a Milwaukee real estate agent in a sexual assault and human trafficking case that they say involved violent punishment of women staying at his home.

Also named in a criminal complaint, but not charged, is a Milwaukee defense attorney who prosecutors say controlled access to key documents such as birth certificates and social security cards for women living in the home.

The real estate agent, Austin Parie Chronister, 38, is charged with human trafficking, false imprisonment and two counts of second-degree sexual assault with domestic abuse assessments. He made his initial appearance in court Friday. Milwaukee County Jail logs indicate he was in custody.

Wisconsin real estate license records list Chronister’s employer as Mahler Sotheby’s International Realty in Milwaukee. The brokerage’s website did not list Chronister among its staff as of Friday.

More: What to do if you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship

Prosecutors brought charges on behalf of two women victims who said they suffered threats as well as sexual and physical violence from Chronister while living in the house, which is located on Milwaukee’s west side in the Concordia neighborhood.

According to the complaint, one woman told prosecutors there were consequences for not completing household tasks, such as mowing the lawn. She also felt she wasn’t allowed to turn down sex or leave the house. Chronister hit, choked, tripped and kicked her if she disobeyed him, she said.

The woman’s paychecks were monitored by the defense attorney, who also kept the woman’s vital records in a lockbox only accessible to the attorney.

More: Housing is the ‘bedrock of safety.’ For survivors of domestic violence in Milwaukee, it can be hard to find.

In one instance, according to the complaint, Chronister placed the woman in a headlock during an act of non-consensual sex, cutting off her breathing, and she passed out. She left the home in 2020 after living there over three years.

Another woman told prosecutors that Chronister violently beat her in 2023 when she said she wanted to leave the house. She lost consciousness during the beating and woke to find the man was sexually assaulting her, according to the complaint.

That woman told prosecutors that house residents signed contracts that included regular payments, “sex on demand” and other rules.

If convicted of all four charges, Chronister would face up to 111 years in prison.

Where to find help for domestic violence

Domestic violence advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement.

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.
• The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.
• The Milwaukee Women’s Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140.
• The Women’s Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828. 
• We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.
• The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075.
• The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510.
• The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526.
• Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090.
• The Hmong American Women’s Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.

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