Defendant Charged with Witness Tampering and Obstruction of Justice

Bruce “Arki” Brown, a 41-year-old man from Dorchester, Massachusetts, has been charged with witness tampering and obstruction of justice in federal court. The charges come as Brown awaits trial for sex trafficking charges.

According to the charging document, Brown used coded language in recorded jail calls and directed his three co-conspirators to assist him with contacting victims and witnesses in an attempt to influence their testimony related to the pending charges against him. Brown dubbed this scheme “Plan B.”

Brown was previously indicted on February 13, 2020, with four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; one count of sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud and coercion; one count of transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution; and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. The indictment alleged that Brown engaged in the sex trafficking of four victims over a 15-year period beginning in June 2004 through approximately July 2019.

The charge of obstruction of justice carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Witness tampering carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the crime, whichever is greater.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department and Newton Police Department also provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

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.

We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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