BOSTON – A Milton man and a Connecticut woman were arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston with federal sex trafficking crimes.  

 

Duhamel Cassagnol, 30, of Milton, was charged in an indictment with committing sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; engaging in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; and transporting an individual for prostitution. Geneiva Whaley, 23, of Connecticut, was charged in a criminal complaint with transporting an individual for prostitution. The defendants were detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

 

The indictment charging Cassagnol alleges that, between approximately July 2014 and February 2016, he conspired to recruit and transport victims across state lines for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts, knowing that the women would be induced to engage in those acts through force, fraud, or coercion. The indictment also charges Cassagnol with transporting the victims between states with the intent that they engage in prostitution.

 

The complaint charging Whaley alleges that, in October 2015, she knowingly transported one of Cassagnol’s victims from Massachusetts to Connecticut with the intent that the victim would engage in prostitution. Specifically, Whaley allegedly recruited the victim, who had just been released from a detox facility, and worked with Cassagnol to keep the victim in various motels or hotels in Connecticut, which were rented in Whaley’s name. While at the motels, Whaley assisted in prostituting the victim. Cassagnol and Whaley also allegedly supplied the victim with drugs while she stayed at the motels.

 

The charge of sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion provides for a sentence of no less than 15 years and up to life in prison, no less than five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, no less than five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. For first-time offenders, the charge of transporting an individual for prostitution provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, no less than five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

 

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, Lexington and Needham Police Departments, and Vernon (Connecticut) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Pérez-Daple of Weinreb’s Civil Rights Enforcement Team is prosecuting the case.

 

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.