Sex trafficking is one of the top crimes targeted by federal prosecutors, particularly when it involves interstate travel, international recruitment, and organized criminal activity.

As a recent federal indictment in Massachusetts demonstrates, what may begin as an investigation into prostitution-related offenses can quickly expand into a complex federal prosecution involving multiple felony charges, years of potential imprisonment, and substantial financial penalties.

If you are accused of a federal sex trafficking offense or believe you are under investigation, it’s critical to act quickly and obtain experienced legal representation.

Allegations in the Massachusetts Federal Case

According to federal prosecutors, a New York woman, Zengzeng Liu, a/k/a “Bella,” 40, of Flushing, N.Y., was indicted for allegedly operating an international commercial sex enterprise out of multiple residential apartments in the Boston area.

The government alleges that, beginning in 2025, the defendant recruited women from China, Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines to travel to Massachusetts to engage in commercial sex acts. Prosecutors claim she coordinated appointments, determined where the women would work, collected a percentage of the proceeds, and relied on intermediaries to recruit additional women for the operation.

Authorities further allege that online advertisements, messaging applications, and interstate and international communications were used to arrange appointments with customers. According to court documents, investigators also believe fraudulent or altered documents were used to obtain apartments that were allegedly operated as residential brothels.

During searches conducted as part of the investigation, law enforcement reportedly recovered approximately $105,000 in cash, surveillance equipment, cellular phones, condoms, and other evidence prosecutors contend was connected to the alleged operation. Investigators also interviewed several women who allegedly described the operation and how appointments and payments were handled.

The Federal Charges

The defendant has been charged with:

• Knowingly persuading an individual to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.
• Three counts of using facilities of interstate or foreign commerce in aid of racketeering enterprises.

These charges illustrate how federal prosecutors often rely on multiple criminal statutes arising from the same investigation. Rather than pursuing only one offense, prosecutors may allege several violations based on communications, financial transactions, interstate travel, and the overall structure of the alleged enterprise.

Potential Federal Penalties

The charge of knowingly persuading an individual to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution carries a maximum penalty of:

• Up to 20 years in federal prison
• Up to five years of supervised release
• A fine of up to $250,000

Each count alleging the use of facilities of interstate or foreign commerce in aid of racketeering enterprises carries a maximum penalty of:

• Up to five years in federal prison
• Up to three years of supervised release
• A fine of up to $250,000

Although actual sentences are determined by a federal judge under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other federal sentencing laws, defendants facing multiple federal charges often confront the possibility of lengthy prison terms and serious financial consequences.

Federal Sex Trafficking Investigations: When Do These Investigations Become More Serious?

When investigators uncover evidence involving interstate travel, electronic communications, financial transactions, immigration issues, or alleged organized criminal activity, federal charges often follow. Search warrants, surveillance, financial records, digital evidence, cell phone data, and witness interviews often become part of a comprehensive federal investigation used to build a complex case with multiple serious charges.

As evidence is gathered, prosecutors may continue adding charges or broaden the scope of the case. By the time an indictment is returned, defendants often face multiple felony counts rather than a single offense. Anyone who learns they are the subject of an investigation should seek legal counsel immediately rather than waiting for formal charges to be filed.

Ways an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help with Robust Sex Trafficking Defense

Federal criminal cases require a strategic and aggressive defense, no matter what the charges. Sex trafficking charges carry a social stigma that warrants a proactive and comprehensive approach.

An experienced federal criminal defense attorney may:

• Carefully examine whether searches, seizures, or electronic surveillance complied with constitutional requirements.
• Analyze digital communications, financial records, and electronic evidence for weaknesses or inconsistencies.
• Challenge whether the government can prove every required element of each federal offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Investigate the credibility and reliability of witnesses and cooperating individuals.
• Identify procedural errors, constitutional violations, or evidentiary issues that could affect the admissibility of evidence.
• Negotiate with federal prosecutors when doing so is in the client’s best interests, and prepare the strongest possible defense for trial if necessary.

Every federal prosecution presents unique legal and factual issues, making early intervention by experienced counsel especially important.

Don’t Delay: Contact an Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Allegations involving sex trafficking, interstate prostitution, or racketeering are among the most aggressively prosecuted offenses in the federal criminal justice system. Even before formal charges are filed, investigators may be collecting digital evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing financial records, and building a case.

If you have been arrested, charged, or believe you are under investigation for a federal sex trafficking offense, it does not help you to pause for too long. Action is recommended, and time is of the essence. An experienced criminal defense attorney can protect your constitutional rights, evaluate the government’s evidence, develop an effective defense strategy, and advocate on your behalf throughout every stage of the federal criminal process. Contact a member of our award-winning federal sex trafficking defense team to learn how we can mobilize our resources to build a strong case in your defense and counter the prosecution’s narrative.