Jacob Henriques, 29, an Assistant Admissions Director at Emmanuel College, has been charged with Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor after allegedly using his position to target prospective students for commercial sex. Federal authorities claim Henriques accessed private admissions information, including contact details and ages, to approach underage applicants with sexually explicit messages and offers of money in exchange for sex. According to court documents, he offered one 17-year-old student $400 for “some fun” and sent her multiple pornographic videos shortly after giving her a campus tour.
The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a minor is extremely serious and falls under federal jurisdiction. If convicted, Henriques faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life, along with at least five years of supervised release and fines up to $250,000. This statute is applied when someone knowingly attempts to recruit, entice, or solicit a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, regardless of whether the act was completed. The use of digital evidence, including text messages and email, is often central to the prosecution’s case.
For individuals facing similar charges, the stakes could not be higher. Federal prosecutors aggressively pursue these cases, and public opinion can shift quickly based on initial accusations. However, it is important to remember that a charge is not a conviction. The accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Legal defenses may include challenging the accuracy or legality of digital evidence, disputing knowledge of the victim’s age, or contesting the interpretation of the alleged communications.
Anyone charged with attempted sex trafficking should contact a qualified criminal defense attorney immediately. These cases move quickly and carry devastating personal, legal, and professional consequences. A strong defense begins with understanding the full scope of the charges and building a strategy to ensure the accused’s rights are fully protected under the law.
At Dhar Law, LLP, we have defended many cases involving sex crimes and sex trafficking charges. Please contact us at 617-880-6155 to speak to a member of our award winning sex trafficking defense team to help protect your freedom and future.
