MA Man Indicted in Providence for Sex Trafficking 15-Year-Old Girl
Friday, March 10, 2017
A Massachusetts man has been indicted in Providence on multiple federal sex trafficking charges after he allegedly trafficked a 15-year-old girl from Rhode Island across state lines for the purpose of criminal sexual activity.
Andy Joseph, 24, of Brockton has been charged with one count each of sex trafficking a child and transportation of minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of traveling in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The indictment, returned on Thursday, was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for New England; and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.
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According to court documents, it is alleged that on June 15, 2016, Joseph, who had been communicating with the 15-year-old via an Internet web site, met with the teenager in Rhode Island and drove her to a hotel in Seekonk, Mass. It is alleged that at the hotel Joseph photographed the teenager and posted photographs of her in advertisements on Backpage.com, offering the teenager for commercial sexual activity.
It is alleged that between June 15 and August 13, 2016, Joseph arranged for sexual encounters involving the 15-year-old. It is alleged that following each commercial sexual encounter, most or all of the money was turned over to Joseph, at his insistence.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sex trafficking a child and transportation of minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity are punishable by statutory penalties of a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release; traveling in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity is punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release.
Joseph has been in federal custody since his arrest on December 1, 2016, by HSI agents and Pawtucket Police.
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