Tag:

Prostitution

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…
Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cops For Sex Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cops For Sex
Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cops For Sex Springfield police have arrested five men in a sweeping prostitution sting earlier this week, authorities said.  The sting was part of a neighborhood quality-of-life initiative after several people complained of seeing sex, drugs, and violence taking place in broad daylight in the South End of the city, police said.  Related: 7 Men Busted In Holyoke Prostitution Sting The men were charged with paying for sexual conduct. They are:  Trevon Lombard-Wilson, 23, of Springfield (He also receive a charge of open and gross lewdness) Ralph Fernandez, 51, of Springfield Durand Goe…
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…
Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex
Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex Several men found themselves in handcuffs on Thursday, Feb. 15, after they hired what they thought was a prostitute online, but when they showed up, they were met by police.  Springfield police posed as online escorts, where men would offer to pay money in exchange for sexual services inside a hotel room. But unbeknownst to them, the room was filled with Springfield police officers and Hampden County Sheriff's deputies. Related: Westfield Massage Parlor Owners Charged In Prostitution Bust Officers arrested five men from 1 until 7 p.m. as they showed up to the designated hotel room a…
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…
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…
4 'Johns' Busted In Prostitution Sting In Springfield: Police 4 'Johns' Busted In Prostitution Sting In Springfield: Police
4 'Johns' Busted In Prostitution Sting In Springfield: Police Springfield police arrested four "Johns" in a prostitution sting on Thursday, Sept. 28, after they propositioned an undercover officer to pay for sex, authorities announced.  Related: 5 Arrested In Springfield Anti-Prostitution Sting The sting came after several people in the South End area of the city complained to police to do something about prostitution in their area. Officers hope "anti-John" stings like this will help curtail the practice in that area.  Those arrested include:  Sigfredo Anglero-Madera, 45, of Ware Fausto Cepeda-Rosario, 40, of Springfield Paul Rami…
5 'Johns' Arrested In Prostitution Sting In Springfield 5 'Johns' Arrested In Prostitution Sting In Springfield
5 'Johns' Arrested In Prostitution Sting In Springfield Springfield police charged five men with attempting to hire a prostitute during a sting Thursday night, Aug. 31.  Police said they were responding to several complaints from neighbors in the South End neighborhood about prostitution in the area.  The men were arrested trying to solicit sex from an undercover officer posing as a prostitute, Springfield police said.   The men arrested and their charges include Pay for Sexual Conduct Alexis Rivera-Nieves, 25, of Springfield, is charged with resisting arrest and paying for sexual conduct. Paul Dion, 40, of Agawam, is cha…
5 Men Thought They Were Meeting Women At Hotel, But Left In Cuffs 5 Men Thought They Were Meeting Women At Hotel, But Left In Cuffs
5 Men Thought They Were Meeting Women At Hotel, But Left In Cuffs Worcester police busted five men on Thursday, June 23, in an undercover prostitution sting at multiple Worcester hotels.  Officers posing as prostitutes online and arraigned to meet the men for sex in exchange for cash, Worcester police said. That money will now likely go to bail.  Worcester police said the purpose of the sting was to deter internet-based human trafficking. They expect to conduct several more operations like this in the future, officials said.  Those arrested in the sting were charged with paying for sexual conduct, and they include:  Micah Love-Allot…
Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex
Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex Police continued their assault on prostitution this week as they arrested five more Western Massachusetts men in an undercover "anti-John" operation, authorities said.  This is the second time in as many weeks Springfield Police Department officers have targeted men who try to pay for sex, as they busted 11 on Thursday, June 15.  The operation on Thursday, June 22, targeted the High Street area and the South End neighborhood after several residents had complained of drugs and prostitution, Springfield police said.  RELATED: 11 Men Busted In Undercover Prostitution Stin…
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…
9 CT Residents Nabbed Patronizing Prostitutes During Sting, Police Say 9 CT Residents Nabbed Patronizing Prostitutes During Sting, Police Say
9 CT Residents Nabbed Patronizing Prostitutes During Sting, Police Say Nine Connecticut residents were nabbed for allegedly attempting to purchase prostitutes during a sting operation. The sting took place in Hartford on Thursday, Dec. 7 in the Wethersfield and Franklin avenues area. After receiving numerous complaints from citizens and business owners in the Wethersfield Avenue and Franklin Avenue areas concerning prostitution, the Hartford Police Vice and Narcotics Division, Street Crimes Unit, and South Community Service officers conducted an operation to address the activity, said Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police. During the operation,…
Owner Of Central Massachusetts Spa Busted For Prostitution Operation: Police Owner Of Central Massachusetts Spa Busted For Prostitution Operation: Police
Owner Of Central Massachusetts Spa Busted For Prostitution Operation: Police The owner of a massage parlor in Central Massachusetts was charged using her business to run a prostitution operation, authorities said. In July, local, state and federal authorities launched an investigation into Missy Body Spa in Sturbridge after police got information suggesting that an employee was involved in prostitution, Sturbridge Police said on Facebook.  Investigators learned the business was not properly licensed through the state and that the owner, YongMei Mo, of Westbury, NY, was initially fined by the Division of Occupation Licensing.  Mo was warned that if she con…
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.…
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 …
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…
Police Officer In Connecticut Accused Of Patronizing A Prostitute Police Officer In Connecticut Accused Of Patronizing A Prostitute
Police Officer In Connecticut Accused Of Patronizing A Prostitute A Connecticut police officer has been charged with allegedly patronizing a prostitute. New Haven Police Officer Christopher Troche was arrested on Sunday, Nov. 21, after turning himself in at the department, said Officer Scott Shumway, of the New Haven Police. The investigation into Troche's action began in April when a New Haven Police officer was approached by a woman reporting unwanted contact Troche, Shumway said. After the initial report was taken, members of the Internal Affairs Division were alerted to the allegations, and an internal affairs investigation was initiated.  Afte…
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…
Nine Charged After Prostitution Sting Operation In Region Nine Charged After Prostitution Sting Operation In Region
Nine Charged After Prostitution Sting Operation In Region Nine men were charged with soliciting prostitutes during a sting operation in the region. The "Johns" were arrested in Hampden County during the special operation conducted by the Springfield Police on Tuesday, Aug. 31, after the department received numerous "quality of life" complaints from residents in the area. According to Ryan Walsh, spokesman for the Springfield PD, there have been 37 men arrested this summer during sting operations in the city. Tuesday’s investigation took place between 1 and 6 p.m. The men were arrested on several streets in the South End of Springfield, Walsh said…
Undercover 'Johns' Sting Nabs Five In Western Mass Undercover 'Johns' Sting Nabs Five In Western Mass
Undercover 'Johns' Sting Nabs Five In Western Mass Five men were arrested in Western Massachusetts during an undercover prostitution detail after police received complaints from residents. The "Johns" sting was carried out on Tuesday, June 15, in Springfield by members of the Springfield Police, the Hampden County Sheriff's Office, and the Massachusetts State Police, said Springfield spokesman Ryan Walsh. Walsh said the sting was carried out in response to the ongoing quality of life complaints from citizens in the South End neighborhood. The following men were arrested and charge charged with sexual conduct for a fee after allegedly offer…
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,…
Local Interim Madam Pleads Guilty To Sex Trafficking Local Interim Madam Pleads Guilty To Sex Trafficking
Local Interim Madam Pleads Guilty To Sex Trafficking An interim madam who ran a local prostitution network for about a month has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking. On Thursday, March 11, Virginia Maldonado, 32, of Springfield, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts, said. Maldonado was a co-conspirator of William Coleman who pleaded guilty in 2020 to sex trafficking crimes. Maldonado managed Coleman’s prostitution business on a temporary basis while he was in jail for 30 days. She took instruction from Coleman while he was in jail and took photos of female …
Local Pimp's Accomplice Faces Life In Prison For Recruiting, Exploiting Prostitutes Local Pimp's Accomplice Faces Life In Prison For Recruiting, Exploiting Prostitutes
Local Pimp's Accomplice Faces Life In Prison For Recruiting, Exploiting Prostitutes A Springfield woman has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from her work recruiting vulnerable females into a life of forced sex work, violence, and drug addiction. On Tuesday, March 9, Shannon Yelinek, 36, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts, said. Yelinek was accused of working with co-conspirator/pimp William Coleman who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking crimes in September 2020 and received a sentence of 186 months in prison. Coleman operated a prostitution business that used violence and drug addiction as mea…