In 2017, Sharkey was arrested for trafficking three women—including two minors. The girls were beaten. Forced into prostitution. Advertised on Backpage. The evidence was overwhelming:
• Text messages
• Hotel surveillance footage
• Photographs
• Cooperating victims
• Corroborating witnesses
Prosecutors had everything they needed for a conviction. A life sentence was possible.
But Ken Paxton's office cut him a deal.
No prison time. No sex offender registry. No real consequences.
Back on the street, Rakim Sharkey was rearrested in April 2025.
This time for:
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Unlawful restraint
• Burglary of a habitation
• Pointing a gun at multiple people
He had just gotten out of prison for Paxton's failed prosecution.
Texas newspapers have extensively reported that Ken Paxton's office has repeatedly failed to secure convictions against sex traffickers. This is a pattern, not a one-time mistake.
While predators hunted women, Paxton was hunting for burner phones to hide his mistress.
Ken Paxton is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Texas.
When he had a sex trafficker dead to rights, he cut him loose.
Now that predator has hurt more people.
That's not protecting Texas. That's failing the most vulnerable among us.
Conservative voters deserve an AG who actually prosecutes criminals.
Not one who makes deals with them.
PAID FOR BY TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN, INC