A man who previously earned a spot on the FBI’s Most Wanted list has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for child sex trafficking, U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus announced Monday.
Donald Eugene Fields II, 62, provided sexual access to a minor in exchange for cash and other valuables from his co-defendant, Theodore “Ted” John Sartori Sr.
The abuse began when the victim was 14 years old. Between the winter of 2013 and the summer of 2016, Sartori engaged in illegal sexual activity with the minor while providing Fields with cash, a car, a motorcycle, Christmas presents, and vacations. In the summer of 2016, Sartori financed a trip to Florida and drove the victim there to engage in sexual activity, with Fields instructing the minor to comply.
During Thursday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp addressed Fields directly, stating that his crimes “warranted extreme punishment.”
Fields was indicted on federal charges on Dec. 7, 2022, following his failure to appear in Franklin County Circuit Court for pending state charges.
His time on the run ended on Jan. 26, 2025, when police officers in Lady Lake, Florida, pulled him over during a traffic stop and discovered his status on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. He subsequently pleaded guilty in April in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of child sex trafficking.
“Donald Fields II believed he could outrun justice by fleeing to Florida after committing reprehensible crimes against a child in Missouri. He was wrong,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Today’s sentence holds Fields accountable for the lifelong trauma he inflicted on his young victim. I commend the remarkable courage of the victim, whose willingness to come forward made justice possible, and the unwavering dedication of FBI investigators and our law enforcement partners — especially the Lady Lake Police Department.”
Sartori, 65, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in August 2024 to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
The joint investigation was conducted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, with support from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards.
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