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Defendant Faces 15-Year Sentence for Human Trafficking and Firearm Possession
A federal indictment has charged Naquan Bowie, a Burlington man, with one count of human trafficking and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, Bowie trafficked a victim from October 2016 to January 2017 in Vermont, using heroin and crack cocaine, as well as violence or the threat of violence, to cause the victim to perform commercial sex acts for Bowie’s financial gain.
The indictment also alleges that Bowie unlawfully possessed a Jennings .22 caliber pistol following two prior felony convictions involving the sale and possession of cocaine. If convicted of human trafficking, Bowie faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment.
Bowie, 31, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Burlington before Chief United States District Court Judge Christina Reiss. However, he withdrew his opposition to the government’s motion for detention pending trial. Judge Reiss ordered Bowie temporarily detained pending a detention hearing on March 24, 2017.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and Bowie is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty. Co-defendant Gary Carter is scheduled to be arraigned on felon-in-possession charges on April 10.
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abigail Averbach. Naquan Bowie is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender. The case is currently under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Burlington Police Department.
Naquan Bowie’s case highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in Vermont. The state has seen a rise in human trafficking cases in recent years, with victims often being forced into commercial sex acts. Bowie’s alleged use of violence and coercion to traffick his victim is particularly disturbing.
The investigation into Bowie’s activities is ongoing, and further charges may be filed. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Naquan Bowie’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of combating human trafficking and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Sex Crimes|Violent Crime|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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