In a disturbing case of exploitation, Shawn Bonneau, a 40-year-old man from Fullerton, California, has been indicted in Maine for sex trafficking and related offenses. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Maine on July 23, 2026, charges Bonneau with six counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and wire fraud.
According to court documents, Bonneau allegedly compelled three adult women to perform commercial sex acts in Maine and elsewhere between January 2016 and December 2023. He also used electronic mail systems to fraudulently obtain funds from another individual while engaging in his sex trafficking scheme. If convicted, Bonneau faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, with a maximum penalty of life in prison, as well as a maximum penalty of lifetime supervised release.
The investigation into Bonneau's activities was led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England Field Office. Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Yereniuk for the District of Maine are prosecuting the case.
The indictment highlights the need for continued vigilance in combating human trafficking. If you have information about human trafficking, you are urged to report it to the authorities. This case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of sex trafficking on its victims and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Bonneau's indictment marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of his alleged crimes. As the investigation continues, it is clear that the authorities are committed to bringing those responsible for human trafficking to justice.
Source: Department of Justice
Source: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-indicted-maine-sex-trafficking-and-related-offenses