Lawrence Man Charged with Attempted Child Sex Trafficking

BOSTON – The gritty streets of Lawrence were hit with a chilling case of attempted sex trafficking, as 22-year-old Alex Bou faced charges for attempting to traffic a child for sex.

According to federal prosecutors, Bou responded to an undercover advertisement posted on a notorious website commonly used for commercial sex acts. The ad featured images of a young-looking female and language suggesting she was ready for “blossoming.” Bou’s brazen message, “U available,” set the stage for his downfall.

The alleged predator continued his conversation with an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old girl, freely discussing the terms of their supposed encounter. When informed of the minor’s age, Bou casually asked if she was a virgin and agreed to pay $175 for unprotected sex, acknowledging that he was dealing with an “underage girl.” His brazenness led him straight to the cops.

Yesterday’s arrest marked just the beginning for Bou. Today, in federal court in Boston, the defendant appeared before a judge and was released on conditions after his initial appearance. The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child carries a heavy price: a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, along with five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and FBI Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks announced the charges, emphasizing the collaboration between federal and local law enforcement in bringing Bou to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Craig E. Estes is handling the case for the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit.

This harrowing incident underscores the importance of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For those affected by or witnessing commercial sex trafficking, help is available at USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

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