A New York City man was recently sentenced in federal court in Boston to 18 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor and forced labor. Sheriff Cooper met the victim in 2017 while working as a security guard at a residential program for pregnant teens and began a sexual relationship with the then-15 year old victim.
After he lost his job in early 2018, he began sex trafficking the victim daily around Boston and later transported her across state lines to New York, using violence, threats, and coercion to force her to work at a strip club. Cooper then took all the proceeds from her work and used a fake ID to exploit her. He was convicted in February 2024 of sex trafficking a minor by force, fraud and coercion; transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; and forced labor. He was ordered to pay $97,200 in restitution.
Child Sex Trafficking is prohibited by 18 U.S.C. § 1591. This statute mandates severe punishments for anyone convicted of knowingly recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining, or maintaining a minor knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the victim is a minor (under 18) and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act, defined as “any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person.”
Sex trafficking a minor does NOT have to involve movement across state or international borders to qualify as a federal offense. If the victim is under 14 or if force, fraud or coercion is involved the penalty can extend from 15 years up to life imprisonment. If the victim was aged 14-17, the penalty is no less than 10 years up to life imprisonment. Financial restitution is also required.
Forced labor, which is often linked to human trafficking and sex trafficking, is also punishable under federal law. Individuals convicted of forced labor can face up to 20 years in prison. In cases involving minors or severe coercion, sentences can extend to life imprisonment. Offenders may also be subject to hefty fines.
It’s a life-changing event to be accused of sex-trafficking a minor, and any crime involving the illegal sexual activity of minors and children. The prosecution will push to convict for all charges and for the most serious punishments. The accused can face significant time in prison, in addition to the lifelong stigma associated with these crimes.
If you or someone you know has been accused of sex trafficking a minor or forced labor, the gravity of these crimes and their consequences means you need to contact an experienced child sex trafficking defense attorney immediately. Our team of experienced federal sex crimes defense attorneys have decades of experience defending serious crimes in federal court. The attorneys at Dhar Law LLP can help you with your sex trafficking case. Please contact us today at (617) 880-6155.
