A Brockton, Massachusetts man has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for his involvement in a sex trafficking ring that targeted a 15-year-old minor in Rhode Island.
Andy J. Joseph, 26, was sentenced on April 24, 2018, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith to 90 months in federal prison. He will also serve 10 years of supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration.
Joseph pleaded guilty to two counts of traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range of imprisonment in this matter is 63-78 months, but as stipulated in a plea agreement, the government and Joseph recommended a sentence of 90 months of incarceration.
According to court documents, Joseph met the 15-year-old victim in an online chat forum in June 2016. He then traveled from Massachusetts to Rhode Island on multiple occasions to engage in sex acts with the minor victim and caused her to become engaged in commercial sex acts in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Joseph posted advertisements for commercial sexual purposes on the website Backpage.com, which contained pictures of the 15-year-old victim and a cell phone number to call for the sexual services. This activity continued until Joseph’s arrest on December 1, 2016.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Pawtucket Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pawtucket Police Department announced the sentence. ‘This sentence sends a strong message that those who seek to exploit and traffic children will be held accountable,’ said U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch.
Defendant’s Name: Andy J. Joseph
Criminal Charges: Traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct (two counts)
City and State: Brockton, Massachusetts
Exact Date: April 24, 2018 (sentencing), June 2016 (crime date), December 1, 2016 (arrest date)
Sentence or Outcome: 90 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release
Defendant’s Address: Brockton, Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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