2 charged with sex trafficking minors

BOSTON — In an indictment unsealed Wednesday, two Boston men were charged with sex trafficking minors and transporting those minors with the intent to engage in prostitution. The charges resulted from an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the Boston Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police, the Brockton Police Department and the Providence Police Department.

According to the indictment, in October 2013, Miriam Kizzie, 21, and Anthony Pledger, 26, conspired with each other to sex traffic two minors and transport the minors between Massachusetts and Rhode Island to engage in prostitution. In July 2013, Kizzie allegedly trafficked two other minors.

"Sex trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes we investigate," said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston. "ICE Homeland Security Investigations and its federal, state and local law enforcement partners are committed to protecting those who cannot protect themselves."

Pledger and Kizzie will be arraigned Feb. 27. If convicted, they face minimum mandatory sentences of 15 years in prison on the sex trafficking charges and 10 years in prison on the transportation charges. They could face maximum sentences of life in prison.

The details contained in the charges are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.