Sex TraffickingArchive 2008–2016

Sex Trafficking in Boston, Massachusetts (2007)

A sex trafficking case from 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?

What happened

Vanessa Cristina Guedes Lopes, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for bringing aliens to the U.S. illegally, bringing individuals in interstate commerce for prostitution, sex trafficking, and conspiracy. In addition, she has been convicted for making false statements in immigration documents—she will be deported after serving her sentence. Lopes recruited women, advertised them online, and sent them to various cities in Massachusetts. She coerced the women into staying through the use of threats, such as the deportation.

Response and intervention

ICE investigated the case with police departments in Andover, Boston, Burlington, Fall River, Framingham, Hanson, Lowell, Malden, Medford, Somerville, Tewksbury and Woburn as well as the Nashua police department in New Hampshire. Four of the victims who cooperated with officials were able to apply for T visas. ICE

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Bonded Labor2009

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Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 30, Nodir Yunusov, 22, Rustamjon Shukurov, 21, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Mission; Ilkham Fazilov, 44, Nodirbek Abdoollayev, 27, citizens of Uzbekistan living in Kansas City; Viorel Simon, 27, Alexandru Frumasache , 23, citizens of Moldova living in Kansas City, Kan.; Kristin Dougherty, 49, of Ellisville, Mo.; Andrew Cole, 53, of St. Charles, Mo.; Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev, 49, a citizen of Uzbekistan living in Panama City, Fla.; and Sandjar Agzamov, 27, and Jakhongir Kakhkharov, 29, citizens of Uzbekistan who recently left the United States

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016

Sex Trafficking2024

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 2024

United States

Family smuggled Brazilian migrants into the US for $18,000-22,000 fees, then forced them to work off the debt at two Woburn restaurants under threats of violence and deportation. Accused: Jesse James Moraes, Hugo Giovanni Moraes, and Chelbe Willams Moraes.

1 source

Sex Trafficking2008

Somerville, Massachusetts, United States, 2008

United States US

A detective later called a sex-for-sale advertisement and posed as a prospective client to arrange an appointment for later that day. Investigators arrested Graham after police found a 31-year-old woman set up in a prostitution scheme inside La Quinta Inn in Somerville. The woman allegedly admitted Graham forced her to have sex with clients for money and threatened her with bodily harm if she did not perform, according to reports. Detectives said when they arrived at the hotel about 8 p.m. to meet the victim, Graham and a second man were spotted leaving the hotel and going outside to sit in a blue Ford Escape in the hotel parking lot. Inside the hotel room, the victim was reluctant to speak with police, according to the report. Somerville Police said the woman was nervous and concerned about identifying her pimp and the details of the prostitution scheme. Police reported the victim described to investigators her history with the pimp, who allegedly used manipulation, extreme control and fear to dominate her.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016