BOSTON — A Waltham man was sentenced June 20 in federal court in Boston for attempted sex trafficking of a 12-year-old girl during a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England operation.
Misael Fabian Medina, 38, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He will be subject to deportation proceedings to Guatemala upon completion of his sentence. In March 2024, he was convicted by a federal jury of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child and one count of attempted coercion and enticement.
“Misael Fabian Medina was ready to pay to sexually abuse a 12-year-old child before he was arrested by HSI special agents. Today’s sentence will keep him off the streets and away from children he could harm,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “Sex trafficking is driven by demand, and we work every day with our partners to investigate and bring predators like Medina to justice.”
“Children are sold for sex far too often in our society. Our office has prosecuted several individuals who have trafficked minors — often highly vulnerable girls. This prosecution is squarely aimed at addressing the demand that fuels this despicable practicing of selling sex with kids. Medina showed up at a hotel with $200 in his hand in order to have sex with a 12-year-old girl. This sting operation should send a message to every person using a smart phone to troll for sex with minors that the federal government is out there aggressively enforcing the laws against this reprehensible conduct,” said acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
In November 2022, Misael Medina responded to an online advertisement offering sex with two young girls. Through an ensuing text conversation with undercover HSI special agents who were posing as the sellers, Medina agreed to pay $200 to engage in a sex act with a 12-year-old girl. Shortly thereafter, he went to a greater Boston hotel to meet with the purported seller. Once at the hotel, he met an undercover HSI special agent and confirmed he had the money to pay for the commercial sex act. During that meeting, Medina was arrested and found to be in possession of a box of condoms.
Krol and Levy made the announcement June 20. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lexington, Waltham, Barnstable, Quincy and Cambridge police departments, the Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
HSI plays an integral role in combating human trafficking by working with its law enforcement partners to deter, disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks that engage in it. Special agents use their expertise and rely on HSI’s authorities to seize assets and eliminate profit incentives, work with nongovernmental organizations to protect and assist victims, and bring traffickers to justice. HSI leads the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking to advance counter human trafficking law enforcement operations, protect victims and enhance prevention efforts. The CCHT integrates the efforts of every component within DHS involved in combating human trafficking, including criminal investigations, victim assistance, identifying and reporting human trafficking, external outreach, intelligence and training.
HSI’s Victim Assistance Program provides a critical resource to HSI investigations and criminal prosecutions. The Victim Assistance Program helps preserve victims’ and survivors’ rights, helps connect them with the services they’re legally entitled to receive, and provides them with the support they need to fully participate in the criminal justice process.
If you suspect someone may be a human trafficking victim, call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP.