BOSTON – A Lynn man has been charged with allegedly trafficking three women to engage in commercial sex acts and transporting one of them to another state for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
Anthony Coleman, 34, was indicted on three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution. He was arrested on March 29, 2024, and will appear in federal court in Boston at 11:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley.
“The indictment alleges that Mr. Coleman chose to prey on women who were struggling with employment and housing when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. He allegedly forced these women to sell their bodies, took their money and violently assaulted them to make sure they obeyed his commands,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Human trafficking is abhorrent whenever it occurs and it is typically the product of exploiting a victim’s vulnerability, in this case the onset of a pandemic. Mr. Coleman now faces real consequences for his alleged conduct and his victims will finally be free of his torment.”
“Anthony Coleman is accused of staggering violence and cruelty against women he trafficked and forced into commercial sex. In a pattern we see over and over with human traffickers, Coleman allegedly targeted women in need and offered them security only to use violence and threats to control their money and their bodies. These cases are complex and can only be worked in close collaboration with our partners in law enforcement and victims support services who share our commitment to holding these human traffickers to account and working towards a life of dignity for survivors,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
According to the indictment, Coleman targeted victims who had lost their jobs or homes during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns in March through August of 2020. It is alleged that Coleman had his victims move with him into a house in Lawrence, posted or controlled online commercial sex advertisements for them, provided them scripts to negotiate payment and terms with commercial sex buyers and transported his victims to hotels and other places to engage in commercial sex – requiring them to give him all the money they made. It is further alleged that Coleman also regularly coerced and forced his victims to have sex with him.
Specifically, in March 2020, Coleman allegedly recruited one victim who had lost her job due to the pandemic. It is alleged that the victim would sometimes serve up to 10-16 clients per day, with Coleman taking all the profits. Coleman allegedly took the victim to Florida on multiple occasions and had her engage in commercial sex in Florida. It is further alleged that Coleman physically abused the victim – one time holding the victim underwater and threatening to drown her and another time requiring the victim to walk outside naked on broken glass when she disobeyed him. On one occasion, Coleman allegedly threw the victim against a wall, causing her to become concussed. On another occasion, Coleman allegedly threw a phone at the victim’s face, causing a visible injury to her eye.
According to the indictment, around March and April 2020, Coleman recruited a second victim, convincing her to come live with him after she was kicked out of her home by a relative following their disagreements around COVID-19 safety practices. This victim was unable to get a job because many businesses were closed due to COVID-19. It is alleged that the victim began engaging in commercial sex for Coleman and, when she wanted to leave Coleman threatened her – telling her that if she left, he would hurt her mother and her sibling.
It is further alleged that Coleman recruited a third victim who was homeless in the summer of 2020. The victim allegedly engaged in commercial sex and after a few days, was required to give Coleman all the money she earned. It is alleged that when the victim did something Coleman did not like or refused to engage in commercial sex, Coleman would physically and verbally assault her. On one occasion, Coleman allegedly hit the victim in the face with an open hand. Another time, Coleman allegedly struck the victim in the face, pulled her hair, strangled her and threw her to the ground.
Members of the public who believe they may be a victim of this alleged crime should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please visit https://polarisproject.org/
for information and resources.
The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Revere and Cambridge Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings of the Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
