Tag:

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…
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Misconduct Allegations Facing stiff opposition in the US Senate, embattled former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general.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…
Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds
Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds A 41-year-old Worcester County man is accused of multiple sex crimes against children, including coercing several into producing child sexual assault material, authorities announced on Friday, April 26.  Michael Lamountain, of Oxford, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, one count of sex trafficking of a minor, and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  He was previously arrested and charged in February with a Rhode Island man for filming their assault of an underage girl. He has remained in custod…
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…
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…
Springfield Man Talked Foster Child Into Sex Trafficking Gets 18 Years: Feds Springfield Man Talked Foster Child Into Sex Trafficking Gets 18 Years: Feds
Springfield Man Talked Foster Child Into Sex Trafficking Gets 18 Years: Feds A Springfield man who talked a child into performing sex acts for money will spend the next 18 years in a federal prison, authorities announced Friday, Jan. 12.  Carlos Casillas, 51, was convicted of sex trafficking a 13-year-old girl in July, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He will serve five years of probation after he is released from prison.  Investigators said Casillas met the 13-year-old girl, who was living in a foster home, on Facebook and communicated through Facebook Messenger. He talked about her leaving the group home and "exchanging money for services," the pr…
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…
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…
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…
Springfield Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking 13-Year-Old In Group Home Springfield Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking 13-Year-Old In Group Home
Springfield Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking 13-Year-Old In Group Home A 51-year-old Springfield man faces a lengthy prison sentence after he was convicted last week of sex trafficking a 13-year-old girl, authorities said.  Carlos Casillas, 51, was convicted Friday, July 14, following a three-day trial, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. A sentencing date has not been set.  Police began investigating Casillas in September 2021 after he reached out to a 13-year-old girl through Facebook Messenger, the federal prosecutor said. At the time, the girl was living at a group home in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.&…
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…
Central Massachusetts Couple Accused Of Sex Trafficking Victim To Multiple States: Feds Central Massachusetts Couple Accused Of Sex Trafficking Victim To Multiple States: Feds
Central Massachusetts Couple Accused Of Sex Trafficking Victim To Multiple States: Feds A Worcester husband and wife potentially face life in prison after federal investigators said they forced a person into prostitution and trafficked them to multiple states for sex.  Kiersten Soto, 29, and Moises Soto, 30, were arrested on Friday, Dec. 16, after investigators said they "used force, fraud, and coercion to traffic a victim for commercial sex in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island" from February through May 2022, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Not much more is known about the allegations as the indictment is sealed.  The Sotos a…
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…
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…
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 …
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Westchester College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy ‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Westchester College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Westchester 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…
Western Mass Man Indicted For Sex Trafficking Minor Western Mass Man Indicted For Sex Trafficking Minor
Western Mass Man Indicted For Sex Trafficking Minor A man from Western Massachusetts is accused of prostituting a minor. Hampden County resident Carlos Casillas, age 48, of Springfield, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of sex trafficking a minor, according to the US Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts. Investigators said Casillas caused a child under the age of 18 to engage in a commerical sex act in West Springfield in September 2021. He was arrested the following February on charges of aggravated rape of a child and enticing a child, according to prosecutors. If convicted of sex trafficking a minor, Casillas would face …
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…
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…
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…
Western Mass Man Sentenced For Racketeering Offenses Relating To Prostitution Western Mass Man Sentenced For Racketeering Offenses Relating To Prostitution
Western Mass Man Sentenced For Racketeering Offenses Relating To Prostitution A Western Massachusetts man has been sentenced to time served and three years of supervised released for racketeering offenses relating to the promotion of commercial sex. Hampden County resident Kevin Smoot, age 60, was sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 19.  He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution offenses and seven counts of use of a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution offenses, said the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.  According to officials, between February 2019 and J…
Western Mass Man Admits To Racketeering Involving Prostitution Western Mass Man Admits To Racketeering Involving Prostitution
Western Mass Man Admits To Racketeering Involving Prostitution A Western Massachusetts man has admitted in federal court to racketeering offenses relating to the promotion of commercial sex. Kevin Smoot, age 59, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on Monday, April 12, to one count of conspiracy to use a facility to promote prostitution and seven counts of use of a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution offenses, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Nathaniel R. Mendell. On Friday, June 26, 2020, Smoot was arrested and charged by complaint. He was indicted in July 2020. According to a criminal complaint,…