Ricardo Middleton, a 32-year-old man from Boston, has been convicted of sex trafficking and obstruction of a sex trafficking prosecution in a federal jury trial in Maine.
The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Middleton targeted a heroin-addicted 25-year-old woman living in South Portland, Maine. He compelled her to engage in commercial sex using drugs, lies, intimidation, physical violence, and rape as means to control her.
Testimony provided details of the three days in November 2015, in which Middleton, along with co-defendants Sherry Jones of Dorchester, Massachusetts, and Mathew Thatcher of Scarborough, Maine, transported the victim to several locations in Maine and Massachusetts.
Middleton was found guilty of sex trafficking a young woman through force, fraud, and coercion, and, while detained pending trial, of instructing a co-defendant not to incriminate him.
The jury delivered its verdict on Friday, following a four-day trial. Middleton faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division praised the survivor for coming forward and courageously reporting her harrowing experience. U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine stated that the prosecution of human trafficking in Maine is a top priority and that Middleton will be held accountable for his crime.
The HSI New England Field Office, Office of the Portland Resident Agent in Charge investigated the case, with assistance from the Biddeford Police Department, Portland Police Department, South Portland Police Department, Topsham Police Department, and Saco Police Department.
Co-defendants Sherry Jones and Mathew Thatcher had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and interstate travel in aid of racketeering, respectively. Middleton is scheduled to be sentenced on a future date.
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Human Trafficking|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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