ICE HSI Boston case brings conviction, possible 15 years-to-life sentence, for Massachusetts sex trafficker
BOSTON – In a case led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, a Massachusetts man was convicted July 24 by a federal jury of sex trafficking four different victims and now faces a possible 15 years-to-life federal prison sentence for his crimes.
Reginald Abraham, 51, was convicted in Boston of four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Abraham, who was arrested, charged and has been held in federal custody since September 2017, will remain in custody until his sentencing in November. U.S. District Judge William G. Young presided over the trial.
“This guilty verdict is a true testament to the significant efforts of a dedicated team of HSI special agents and assistant U.S. attorneys who diligently pursued this investigation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina, HSI Boston. “This verdict is a victory for all of the victims who suffered at the hands of Abraham, and it further solidifies our commitment to arresting and prosecuting those criminals committing these heinous acts in our communities.”
After learning about his trafficking operations from several victims, HSI Boston special agents, along with local, state and federal law enforcement partners began investigating Abraham in January 2017. Typically approaching his victims through social media, Abraham began communicating with them in an effort to convince them to live with him. He eventually picked up his victims, all of whom were from Maine, and drove them to his residence first in Malden, MA and later, in Dracut, MA. After arriving at his home, Abraham forced the women into prostitution throughout New England. He maintained his control over these victims through the use of physical violence, threats, rape, and the giving and withholding of drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine. The trafficking of his victims continued over a period of years, from 2012 through 2016.
The charge of sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, to be imposed by a federal district court judge at his sentencing, which is scheduled for November.
The announcement was made by Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina, ICE HSI Boston, and United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew E. Lelling. Critical support and assistance were provided in the case by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Portland, ME office, as well as by the Dracut, MA and Portland, ME Police Departments. The Office of United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts is prosecuting the case.
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