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Sex Trafficking

Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Asks Judge To Rule On Mental Fitness Ahead Of Sex Trafficking Trial Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries is hoping to delay his federal sex trafficking case. An attorney for the 80-year-old Jeffries filed a motion on Monday, Dec. 9, asking a Manhattan judge to schedule a hearing to determine whether Jeffries is mentally competent to stand trial. “[The motion] will be dealt with in court as, and when, appropriate – according to the judge,” Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, told Daily Voice. Federal prosecutors are expected to challenge the move, potentially delaying the case by months. An indictment unsealed in October accused Jeffries of pr…
Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency
Manhattan's Top Federal Prosecutor To Resign Before Trump Presidency US Attorney Damian Williams, who has overseen high-profile cases in the Southern District of New York, has announced his resignation, a move that comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and the expected nomination of his successor.  Williams’ resignation will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, according to a statement from his office on Monday, Nov. 25.  The resignation comes as President-elect Trump has announced plans to nominate Jay Clayton, a former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman under Trump’s first administration, to lead the of…
Trump AG Pick Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations Trump AG Pick Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Trump AG Pick Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations Facing stiff opposition in the US Senate, embattled former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. The 42-year-old Gaetz had been the subject of an investigation by the Justice Department involving allegations of sex trafficking and sex with a minor.  "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday," Gaetz posted on social media early Thursday afternoon, Nov. 21. "I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many.  "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that…
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Forced Aspiring Models To Take Part In ‘Sex Events,' Feds Say Ex-Abercrombie CEO Forced Aspiring Models To Take Part In ‘Sex Events,' Feds Say
Ex-Abercrombie CEO Forced Aspiring Models To Take Part In ‘Sex Events,' Feds Say Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries preyed on aspiring models and coerced them into prostitution in order to satisfy his and others’ sexual desires, prosecutors alleged. The 80-year-old Jeffries – along with his life partner Matthew Smith and a third defendant, James Jacobson – are named in a 16-count sex trafficking indictment unsealed in Central Islip federal court on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Prosecutors said the trio relied on Jeffries’ wealth and status, along with a network of employees, contractors, and security professionals, to victimize dozens of men over a seven year peri…
High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Elite, Elected Officials In Northeast: Feds High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Elite, Elected Officials In Northeast: Feds
High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Elite, Elected Officials In Northeast: Feds Three people were arrested and charged with running a high-end prostitution network in Massachusetts and Virginia that catered to VIP customers and elected officials. It was so exclusive that potential "Johns" had to provide references to book appointments, federal authorities said.  Han Lee, age 41, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, James Lee, age 68, of Torrance, California, and Junmyung Lee, age 30, of Dedham, Massachusetts, were all charged with running the operation that serviced elected officials, high-tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government…
Fairfield County Duo Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors, Police Say Fairfield County Duo Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors, Police Say
Fairfield County Duo Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors, Police Say A Fairfield  County man and woman have been arrested for the alleged sex trafficking of minors. The two, identified as Teresa Martinez, age 36 of Bridgeport, and Eugene Luini, age 60, of Stamford, were arrested by Norwalk Police on Monday, Dec. 26, said Norwalk Deputy Chief Terrence Blake. In January 2021, the Department of Children and Families received an anonymous tip regarding the sex trafficking of juveniles in Norwalk, Blake said. The Department of Children and Families notified the Special Victims Unit of the Norwalk Police Department and an investigation was&nbs…
CT Resident Sentenced For Recruiting, Transporting Teen Girl To Engage In Commercial Sex CT Resident Sentenced For Recruiting, Transporting Teen Girl To Engage In Commercial Sex
CT Resident Sentenced For Recruiting, Transporting Teen Girl To Engage In Commercial Sex A 24-year-old man has been sentenced after he admitted to bringing a 16-year-old girl to a Connecticut hotel to engage in commercial sex acts. Joel Lindsay, who last resided in East Hartford, was sentenced on Thursday, Sept. 22, to more than 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking of a minor on Oct. 15, 2021, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Lindsay conspired with an associate, Joseph Pina, to recruit and transport a 16-year-old girl to engage in commercial sex acts in October of 2019, the US Attorney's Offi…
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of NY College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy ‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of NY College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of NY College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy A former Westchester County college student who fell under the spell of convicted sex-cult leader Larry Ray has pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder money for his illegal dealings. Isabella Pollok, age 31, a former student at Sarah Lawrence College, located near the border of Yonkers and Bronxville, who was described as Ray's "trusted lieutenant," pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Sept. 7 to one count related to Ray's twisted plot in Manhattan federal court. Ray, now age 62, will be sentenced in December on more than a dozen charges, including extortion, sex trafficking, and racketeering cons…
NY College Sex Cult Leader Found Guilty On All Charges NY College Sex Cult Leader Found Guilty On All Charges
NY College Sex Cult Leader Found Guilty On All Charges Larry Ray, the leader of a sex cult run out of his daughter's dorm room at a New York college located in Westchester County, will face life in prison after being found guilty by a jury of sexually exploiting and trafficking girls. Ray, now 62 years old following multiple delays in his trial and prosecution, was found guilty of 15 counts that include racketeering, sex trafficking, conspiracy, forced labor, extortion, tax evasion, and other crimes in relation to his scheme at Sarah Lawrence College, located near the border of Yonkers and Bronxville. Related story - DOJ Acciden…
DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged 121 Clients In Westchester Sex Cult Trial DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged 121 Clients In Westchester Sex Cult Trial
DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged 121 Clients In Westchester Sex Cult Trial The trial of a father accused of running an alleged sex cult out of his daughter’s college dorm room in Westchester County took an unexpected twist after federal prosecutors reportedly released a list of former clients tied to the operation. Lawrence Ray, age 62, the man who allegedly ran the cult out of Sarah Lawrence College near the border of Yonkers and Bronxville in Westchester, has been on trial in Manhattan for more than a week on charges that include sex trafficking, extortion, forced labor, and other offenses for running the shady operation at the school. Original story - Father O…
CT Man Sentenced For Child Sex Trafficking CT Man Sentenced For Child Sex Trafficking
CT Man Sentenced For Child Sex Trafficking A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to years in federal prison for sex trafficking a teenage girl at Connecticut hotels, authorities announced. Hartford County resident Joseph Pina, of East Hartford, was sentenced to 96 months (eight years) in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a sex trafficking offense involving a 16-year-old girl. US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that in October 2019, Pina and associate Joel Lindsay, a citizen of Jamaica, recruited and transported the teenage girl to engage in commercial sex acts. Specifically, on Oct. 17, 2019, Pina, Lindsa…
Man Wanted In CT For Attempted Murder Busted After Fatal Shooting Man Wanted In CT For Attempted Murder Busted After Fatal Shooting
Man Wanted In CT For Attempted Murder Busted After Fatal Shooting A manhunt into the fatal shooting of a cab driver in Westchester led to the arrest of a wanted fugitive who was wanted in Connecticut after a shootout with police, authorities announced. Shortly before 3 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, a New Rochelle police officer on patrol found a man, later identified as city resident Andres Valenzuela, on the ground in the parking lot of Juliano’s Caterer’s on Main Street with two apparent gunshot wounds. New Rochelle Police Capt. J. Collins Coyne said that he was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from his wounds. Earlier story - P…
CT Duo Admits To Child Sex Trafficking CT Duo Admits To Child Sex Trafficking
CT Duo Admits To Child Sex Trafficking Two Connecticut men have pleaded guilty in federal court to offenses related to the sex trafficking of a minor. Joel Lindsay, age 23, and Joseph Pina, age 24, both of East Hartford, made the plea on Friday, Oct. 15 in Hartford, said Leonard C Boyle, Acting US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2019, Lindsay and Pina recruited, enticed, and transported a minor victim to engage in commercial sex acts.  Specifically, in October 2019, Lindsay, Pina, and another individual picked up the minor victim and took her t…
Fairfield County Man Accused Of Engaging In Sex Acts With Child He Drove To Meet In Illinois Fairfield County Man Accused Of Engaging In Sex Acts With Child He Drove To Meet In Illinois
Fairfield County Man Accused Of Engaging In Sex Acts With Child He Drove To Meet In Illinois A man from the area is facing multiple child exploitation charges in connection to an incident involving a 14-year-old girl who he transported across the country to his Fairfield County home. Danbury resident Wayne Marcell, age 35, has been accused of paying $2,000 to have the teenage victim transported from Lubbock, Texas, to Illinois, where he allegedly drove her back to his Fairfield County home and abused her. US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that in April 2021, a 14-year-old girl in Georgia met Robert Fyke, age 33, of Lubbock, on an online video/chat platform. Fyke and the teen then…
CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Sex Traffic Minor, Distributing Child Pornography CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Sex Traffic Minor, Distributing Child Pornography
CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Sex Traffic Minor, Distributing Child Pornography A Connecticut man is facing charges for allegedly attempting to sex traffic a minor and distributing child and incest pornography on social media, federal prosecutors said. Bristol resident Robert Marlin Sellers, age 60, was arrested this week and charged in a federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses related to his attempt to engage in commercial sex with a minor, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. Investigators launched an investigation into Sellers late in 2020 after receiving a tip that Sellers was sharing videos of child sex abuse on a website that is focused on inc…
Woman Accused Of Conspiring With Father In So-Called College Sex Cult Case Woman Accused Of Conspiring With Father In So-Called College Sex Cult Case
Woman Accused Of Conspiring With Father In So-Called College Sex Cult Case A female cohort of the man accused of running a sex cult out of his daughter’s dorm at Sarah Lawrence College in Westchester Countyis facing charges for her role in helping him run the scheme. Staten Island resident Isabella Pollok, age 29, has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and extortion conspiracy for helping Lawrence Ray manipulate and groom the college students, who the convicted felon met after moving into his daughter’s on-campus room in 2010. Original story - Father Of College Student In Westchester Charged With Sex Trafficking Her F…
Two Connecticut Men Charged With Sex Trafficking A Minor Two Connecticut Men Charged With Sex Trafficking A Minor
Two Connecticut Men Charged With Sex Trafficking A Minor Two East Hartford men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in New Haven on charges related to the sex trafficking of a minor. On Thursday, Aug. 20, Joel “Joey Guapo” Lindsay, 22, and Joseph Pina, 23, both of East Hartford were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Linsay is also charged with sex trafficking of a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut. Lindsay and Pina are accused of recruiting, enticing, and transporting a minor to engage in commercial sex acts, the Attorney’s Office said. Linsday and Pina are facing life in p…
College Sex Trafficking Case Dad Pleads Not Guilty To Nine Charges College Sex Trafficking Case Dad Pleads Not Guilty To Nine Charges
College Sex Trafficking Case Dad Pleads Not Guilty To Nine Charges The father of a former college student in Westchester has denied that he ran a sex cult out of his daughter’s dorm room by manipulating students. Lawrence Ray, 60, has pleaded not guilty to nine federal charges that he’s facing for allegedly moving into his daughter’s dorm at Sarah Lawrence College near the border of Bronxville and Yonkers and operating a sex cult. Specifically, Ray is charged with: Conspiracy to commit extortion; Extortion; Sex trafficking; Obtaining forced labor; Forced labor trafficking; Conspiracy to obtain forced labor; Two counts of violating the travel act; Money l…
Father Of Student At Area College Charged With Sex Trafficking Her Friends Father Of Student At Area College Charged With Sex Trafficking Her Friends
Father Of Student At Area College Charged With Sex Trafficking Her Friends The father of a former college student in Westchester has been charged with running an alleged sex cult out of his daughter’s dorm room for nearly a decade. Lawrence Ray, 60, who was the subject of a cover story for New York Magazine, has been charged with sex trafficking, extortion, forced labor, and other offenses, officials announced on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Ray was released from prison in 2010 and moved into the co-ed dorm of his daughter at Sarah Lawrence College near the border of Yonkers and Bronxville. It is alleged that Ray subjected “his victims to sexual and psychological manipulati…
CT Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Of Teen Girls CT Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Of Teen Girls
CT Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Of Teen Girls A Connecticut man will spend a decade in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking at least two teenage girls. East Hartford resident Alexander Pedraza, 28, has been sentenced in Bridgeport district court to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for sex trafficking of a minor. Pedraza admitted to promoting the prostitution of a 16-year-old girl by advertising her prostitution services and soliciting clients on backpage.com. In March 2017, Pedraza harbored his victims in motel rooms in Hartford, Windsor, and East Windsor, where clients paid Pedraza for the…
Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Underage Girls In NY, CT Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Underage Girls In NY, CT
Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Underage Girls In NY, CT A Northern Westchester man will spend close to decades in prison for sex trafficking of minors in New York and Connecticut and production of child pornography. Victor Gonzalez, 41, of Millwood was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison in White Plains Federal Court on Friday, May 3 after pleading guilty on Jan. 24. In addition to the prison term, Gonzalez was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and restitution in an amount to be determined by the court at a later date. "Victor Gonzalez admitted to the reprehensible crimes of trafficking underage girls for his commercia…
Man Guilty Of Sex Trafficking Minors, Child Porn Offenses In Connecticut Man Guilty Of Sex Trafficking Minors, Child Porn Offenses In Connecticut
Man Guilty Of Sex Trafficking Minors, Child Porn Offenses In Connecticut A Connecticut man is facing life in prison after being found guilty of sex trafficking minors into the area to be used for prostitution. The jury at a weeklong trial in Bridgeport that began on Tuesday, Oct. 9 found that Hartford resident Christopher Hamlett was guilty of all counts of a nine-count indictment related to the sex trafficking of minors. Between August and November last year, Hamlett recruited and enticed two minors to engage in prostitution at hotels in Hartford and Wethersfield. In an effort to solicit clients for the girls, Hamlett took sexually explicit photos of each and s…
CT Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Minors CT Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Minors
CT Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Minors A 37-year-old convicted felon in Connecticut is heading back to federal prison for sex trafficking a trio of teenage girls. Carlen Davis of Meriden has been sentenced to 188 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for sex trafficking the three teenage girls and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction. In 2015 and 2016, Davis recruited, harbored and transported three girls - who were 14, 15 and 16 years old at the time - to engage in commercial sex acts.  Davis used the website Backpage to advertise the minors’ services an…
CT Man Found Guilty Of Sex Trafficking Teen Girls CT Man Found Guilty Of Sex Trafficking Teen Girls
CT Man Found Guilty Of Sex Trafficking Teen Girls A Connecticut man is facing life in prison after being found guilty of sex trafficking minors. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced the arrest of Hartford resident Toney “Blaze” Kelsey, 26, who was found guilty of trafficking minors at a trial that began last week, on May 15. According to evidence introduced at the trial, in May 2015, Kelsey recruited a 17-year-old girl to work as a prostitute, with the proceeds from any sexual acts to be split between them. On the day they met, Kelsey engaged in sexual activity with the teen and later posted adv…
Fairfield County Man Known As 'King Sincere' Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Fairfield County Man Known As 'King Sincere' Sentenced For Sex Trafficking
Fairfield County Man Known As 'King Sincere' Sentenced For Sex Trafficking A 33-year-old Fairfield County man known as “King Sincere” has been sentenced in district court for prostituting a teenage girl who bore a tattoo bearing his name and having sexual contact with her. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced on Monday that Darryl “King Sincere” Morris of Bridgeport was sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised probation following his release. According to court documents, in November 2014, Morris met a 15-year-old girl who was working as a prostitute in New York. Morris proceeded to …