Tag:

Sex Trafficking

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Misconduct Allegations Facing stiff opposition in the US Senate, embattled former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general.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…
Ex-Mass High School Staffer Who Worked With At-Risk Teens Charged With Raping Child: DA Ex-Mass High School Staffer Who Worked With At-Risk Teens Charged With Raping Child: DA
Ex-Mass High School Staffer Who Worked With At-Risk Teens Charged With Raping Child: DA A former high school staffer who worked with at-risk teenagers has been charged with 30 sex crimes involving children, including forcible rape, child pornography, and trafficking, authorities said.  John Jamar Cokley, 38, of Boston, is accused of seven counts of sex trafficking of a child, five counts of aggravated rape of a child, one count of rape of a child by force, three counts of posing a child in a state of nudity, four counts of posing a child in a state of sexual conduct, four counts of enticing a child under 18 into commercial sex, two counts of inducing a minor to sell a…
Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds
Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds A 38-year-old Waltham man who reached out to an online ad for sex with a child in an undercover sting will spend the next 15 years behind bars, authorities announced on Thursday, June 20.  Misael Fabian Medina was convicted of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child and one count of attempted coercion and enticement, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Medina responded to an online ad offering sex with two young girls in November 2022. In a text exchange with the people he believed were selling the children, Medina offered $200 to have sex wi…
Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds
Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds A 29-year-old man was found guilty on Monday, June 10, of soliciting sex from a 14-year-old in a sting operation, authorities said.  Dimitri Shawn McKenzie, of Boston, was found guilty of attempted sex trafficking of a child following a three-day trial, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life behind bars.  McKenzie responded to an online ad that advertised that two girls — ages 12 and 14 — would perform sex acts for cash in the Boston area, the prosecutor said. The post was made by law enforcement.&nbs…
Mass Man Promised 'Better Lifestyle' To Lure 17-Year-Old, Other Sex Trafficking Victims Mass Man Promised 'Better Lifestyle' To Lure 17-Year-Old, Other Sex Trafficking Victims
Mass Man Promised 'Better Lifestyle' To Lure 17-Year-Old, Other Sex Trafficking Victims He promised them a “better lifestyle,” but his victims got anything but. Massachusetts resident Jimall Brown, age 35, of Boston, pleaded guilty to multiple sex trafficking charges in Boston federal court on Monday, April 8. Prosecutors said Brown lured three female victims, including a 17-year-old girl, from out of state and forced them into prostitution between May 2016 and 2022. He admitted to meeting the teen victim on social media and convincing her to fly to Boston from out of state with the promise of a “better lifestyle.” Once she arrived, Brown posted ads of the teen online and arr…
Lynn Sex Trafficker Used Pandemic To Force Women Into Prostitution: Feds Lynn Sex Trafficker Used Pandemic To Force Women Into Prostitution: Feds
Anthony Coleman, Of Lynn, Charged With Sex Trafficking: Feds A 34-year-old Lynn man is accused of exploiting vulnerable women who were newly unemployed, homeless, or unable to find work during the Covid-19 pandemic and forcing them into a life of prostitution and sexual servitude under unmitigated violence, authorities said.  Anthony Coleman faces three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was arrested on Friday, March 29.  Investigators said Coleman used the chaos that followed the Covid-19 lockdowns to coerce t…
Massage Parlor Owners Busted On Prostitution, Sex Trafficking Charges In Western Mass Massage Parlor Owners Busted On Prostitution, Sex Trafficking Charges In Western Mass
Massage Parlor Owners Busted On Prostitution, Sex Trafficking Charges In Western Mass A couple who ran a Hampden County massage parlor were using it as a brothel, police in Westfield announced on Thursday, Feb. 1.  Todd and Baushun Simonds, both of Holyoke, were arrested after police raided the Southampton Road Massage and Body Work at 282 Southampton Road in Westfield, Westfield police said.  Police had been investigating the couple for some time and had determined they were trafficking in women to perform sexual favors on customers for money, though, the workers were not being paid, police said. The only money they kept were the tips they received from their…
Man Who Turned Runaway 15-Year-Old Girl Into Prostitute In Canton Gets 15 Years: Feds Man Who Turned Runaway 15-Year-Old Girl Into Prostitute In Canton Gets 15 Years: Feds
Man Who Turned Runaway 15-Year-Old Girl Into Prostitute In Canton Gets 15 Years: Feds A man in Canton will be sent to prison for 15 years for sex trafficking a missing minor in 2021, officials said. Keion Rowell, 24, was convicted by a federal jury in September 2023 on one count of sex trafficking a child, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts. A judge on Wednesday, Jan. 31, sentenced him to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release.  Related: Man Guilty In 'Gut Wrenching' Child Sex Trafficking Case In Canton Involving Girl, 15: Feds “Mr. Rowell inflicted severe trauma on a vulnerable young life,” Acting United States At…
Guatemalan Man Nabbed In Lynn For Reentering US Faces Child Rape, Trafficking Charges Guatemalan Man Nabbed In Lynn For Reentering US Faces Child Rape, Trafficking Charges
Guatemalan Man Nabbed In Lynn For Illegally Returning To US A Guatemalan man who illegally reentered the US after being deported was arrested in Lynn and also faces charges for sex trafficking in Boston federal court, authorities said. Marcelino De Leon Yoc, also known as Eric Pineda Hernandez, 32, was sentenced to time served (about five months) and one year of supervised release. De Leon Yoc admitted to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien in October 2023, according to the US Attorney’s Office. Related: Brazilian Fugitive Convicted Of Rape Nabbed In Malden He was first deported on May 12, 2018, court documents said. De Leon Yo…
Stoughton Sex Offender Busted AGAIN Forcing Vulnerable Women Into Sex Trade: Feds Stoughton Sex Offender Busted AGAIN Forcing Vulnerable Women Into Sex Trade: Feds
Stoughton Sex Offender Busted Again Forcing Vulnerable Women Into Sex Trade: Feds A convicted Stoughton sex offender is again accused of preying on women, exploiting their drug addictions, and using violence to force them into sex work for his benefit, federal authorities said.  Marvin Pompilus, 39, is charged with three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, one count of attempted sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Pompilus sought out women who had a history of substance abuse issues and plied …
Boston Child Sex Trafficker Sentenced For Trying To Deport Woman He Exposed Himself To: Feds Boston Child Sex Trafficker Sentenced For Trying To Deport Woman He Exposed Himself To: Feds
Boston Child Sex Trafficker Sentenced For Trying To Deport Woman He Exposed Himself To: Feds A Boston man on federal supervised release for sex trafficking has been sentenced in a different case for exposing himself to a woman and then trying to stop her from testifying. Mark Pinnock, 32, was sentenced to 33 months followed by three years supervised release on Friday, Jan. 5, after pleading guilty to one county of witness intimidation in October 2023, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Pinnock served eight years in prison for sex trafficking in 2014. After his release in July 2022, the man worked as an Amazon delivery driver while under federal supervision, officials sa…
Serial Sex Trafficker Busted Again Forcing Women Into Prostitution In Stoughton: DA Serial Sex Trafficker Busted Again Forcing Women Into Prostitution In Stoughton: DA
Serial Sex Trafficker Busted Again Forcing Women Into Prostitution In Stoughton: DA A Stoughton man who's been convicted of sex trafficking was busted again after police say he exploited women and used violence to keep them in the sex trade.  Marvin Pompilus, 39, was charged with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion after police arrested him on Tuesday, Nov. 14, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was required to register as a sex offender as a condition of his conviction.  Pompilus was convicted of sex trafficking in 2018 and released in 2021, when investigators say he immediately resumed what he was doing before.  The fede…
High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Mass's Elite, Elected Officials: Feds High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Mass's Elite, Elected Officials: Feds
High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Mass's Elite, Elected Officials: 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…
Boston Sex Offender Who Flashed Woman While Delivering Package Admits To Threatening Her: Feds Boston Sex Offender Who Flashed Woman While Delivering Package Admits To Threatening Her: Feds
Boston Sex Offender Who Flashed Woman While Delivering Package Admits To Threatening Her: Feds A registered sex offender who was out on supervised release when he allegedly flashed his penis to a woman while working as an Amazon driver admitted he tried to intimidate the woman into not testifying against him, authorities said.  Mark Pinnock, 32, of Boston, was convicted of sex trafficking in 2014 and spent eight years in prison, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Shortly after his release in July 2022, investigators said he flashed his genitals to a female custodian at a condominium complex as he dropped off a package.  Federal officials moved to strip Pinnock of his s…
Randolph Man Pimped Out Western Mass 15-Year-Old Runaway: Federal Jury Rules Randolph Man Pimped Out Western Mass 15-Year-Old Runaway: Federal Jury Rules
Randolph Man Pimped Out Western Mass 15-Year-Old Runaway: Federal Jury Rules A federal jury found a 26-year-old Randolph man guilty of turning a 15-year-old runaway from Western Massachusetts into a prostitute, authorities announced.  Admilson Gomes Pires now faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison following the five-day trial in Boston, according to Acting US Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy.  Federal investigators said Pires met up with the child in February 2019 after she ran away from her home and began a sexual relationship. What followed was a campaign of grooming and control that led the girl into a life of sexual servitude, po…
Man Guilty In 'Gut Wrenching' Child Sex Trafficking Case In Canton Involving Girl, 15: Feds Man Guilty In 'Gut Wrenching' Child Sex Trafficking Case In Canton Involving Girl, 15: Feds
Man Guilty In 'Gut Wrenching' Child Sex Trafficking Case In Canton Involving Girl, 15: Feds A 24-year-old Canton man accused of forcing a 15-year-old girl into sexual servitude was found guilty and now faces a minimum of a decade in federal prison and could be there for life, authorities said.  Keion Rowell was convicted of sex trafficking of a child on Thursday, Sept. 14, following a four-day trial, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Rowell met the girl in January 2021. She was a runaway, and he preyed on her vulnerability, the prosecutor said. Rowell turned her into a prostitute and posted multiple ads online — some included nude photos of the child — offering se…
Drugs Used As Incentive By Mass Man Who Ran Sex Trafficking Operation: Feds Drugs Used As Incentive By Mass Man Who Ran Sex Trafficking Operation: Feds
Drugs Used As Incentive By Mass Man Who Ran Sex Trafficking Operation: Feds A Massachusetts man from the Boston Area is accused of coercing several women who struggled with drug addiction into his sex trafficking operation, according to federal officials. A grand jury returned an indictment charging Trevor Jones, of Everett, with sex trafficking four female victims, United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins said in a release dated Tuesday, May 2. Jones was indicted on four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. He was arrested on related state charges on March 23 and has remained in state custody ever since since.  Court documents reveal…
Man Tricked, Abused Women To Work As Prostitutes Throughout Northeast: Feds Man Tricked, Abused Women To Work As Prostitutes Throughout Northeast: Feds
Man Tricked, Abused Women To Work As Prostitutes Throughout Northeast: Feds A Rhode Island man who pleaded guilty to coercing multiple women to work as prostitutes and using violence to keep them in line will spend 18 years in prison, federal authorities said.  Ronald Hall, 48, of Woonsocket, admitted in August to the near decade-long operation and pleaded guilty to four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. In addition to the 18 years behind bars, Hall must also pay restitution to his victims. A judge will set that amount later.…
MA Man Who Promised Teen Girl 'Better Lifestyle' Exploited Her For Sex: Feds MA Man Who Promised Teen Girl 'Better Lifestyle' Exploited Her For Sex: Feds
MA Man Who Promised Teen Girl 'Better Lifestyle' Exploited Her For Sex: Feds A Massachusetts man could spend the rest of his life in prison for allegedly sex trafficking a minor he met on social media, federal officials report.  Jimall Brown, age 33, of Boston, met a 17-year-old girl living outside Massachusetts on social media earlier this year, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Brown allegedly tried convincing the girl to come to Boston by promising her a "better lifestyle," the office said. He also posted online advertisements arranging for the girl to have sex in exchange for money, which Brown later pocketed.&nbs…
Brockton Woman Who Helped Run Violent Prostitution Ring Gets Probation: DOJ Brockton Woman Who Helped Run Violent Prostitution Ring Gets Probation: DOJ
Brockton Woman Who Helped Run Violent Prostitution Ring Gets Probation: DOJ A 35-year-old Brockton woman who was second in command at a Massachusetts-based prostitution ring that trafficked women along the East Coast for sex work will not serve any jail time, a federal judge ruled earlier this month.  Natashia Bowman was sentenced to three years probation and must pay restitution to the victims in the case, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said on Monday, Sept. 19. The former Dorchester woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise related to a prostitution business, prosecutors said.  Police …
Dorchester Man Facing Charges For Luring Teenage Girl To Boston For Sex: DA Dorchester Man Facing Charges For Luring Teenage Girl To Boston For Sex: DA
Dorchester Man Facing Charges For Luring Teenage Girl To Boston For Sex: DA A Boston man is being held without bail for luring an underage girl to Massachusetts for sex, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said.  Jimall "Progress Lu" Dawn Brown, age 33, of Dorchester, used social media to bring the teen to Boston from another state and pawn her off to have sex with men. Upon her arrival, Brown brought the teen to a hotel and posted sex trafficking ads online, the office said.  As a result, Brown acquired thousands of dollars in profits from sex trafficking the victim over several months. He also allegedly beat her on multiple occasions, the…