Defendants allegedly trafficked three victims, including two minors
BOSTON — An indictment was unsealed during the last week of June in federal court in Boston charging six individuals after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England uncovered their alleged involvement in a sex trafficking conspiracy that victimized two minors and one adult.
The indictment further alleged that the adult victim was trafficked throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and South Carolina. The defendants allegedly kept all the profits for their own financial gain and used threats and violence to maintain control over the victims.
HSI special agents arrested Christy Parker, 26, of Fall River; Alexander Smalls, 25, of Beaufort County, South Carolina; Cory Primo, 42, of Fall River; Avvani Jeffers, 22, of Fall River; Tre’sean Reid, 21, of Beaufort County, South Carolina; and Tyreik Reid, 20, of Allendale, South Carolina, on charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; sex trafficking of a minor; and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
Jeffers was arrested on June 27 and made an initial appearance later that day. He is currently detained pending a detention hearing on July 8. Parker and Primo will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston on July 8. Smalls is awaiting trial in South Carolina and will be arraigned in Boston at a later date. Tyreik Reid will appear in U.S. District Court in South Carolina for a detention hearing on July 10, 2024. Tre’sean Reid is currently a fugitive.
According to court filings, between January and August 2023, Parker and Smalls worked together — with assistance from Primo, Jeffers and the Smalls brothers, Tre’sean and Tyreik Reid — in a scheme to coerce one adult victim and two minor victims to engage in commercial sex in Massachusetts and surrounding states for their exclusive financial gain.
It is alleged that, in early 2023, Parker reached out to the adult victim, indicating she was homeless and needed a place to live. After moving in with the victim, Parker and her boyfriend, Smalls, allegedly coerced the victim to quit her job and begin engaging in commercial sex. Parker and Smalls allegedly forced the victim to sign a “profit sharing contact,” which required the victim to “remain loyal and humble and stay focused.” Thereafter, Parker and Smalls allegedly forced the victim to engage in commercial sex — scheduling and coordinating commercial sex acts and setting prices — and took all the profits. It is alleged that Parker used physical violence, threats of violence and other threats to maintain control. It is further alleged that, in the spring of 2023, Parker traveled with the victim to South Carolina, where she continued sex trafficking the victim and collected all the profits. Upon returning from South Carolina, Parker enlisted help from Primo and Jeffers to traffic the victim throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
In July 2023, Parker was introduced to a 16-year-old victim and, shortly thereafter, allegedly compelled the minor victim to begin engaging in commercial sex. Specifically, it is alleged that Parker used various methods to maintain control over the minor victim — including physical violence, threats of violence, alcohol, marijuana, starvation and sleep deprivation. Further, Parker would allegedly beat the minor victim if she fell asleep because a customer could request her at any time. On one occasion, Parker allegedly withheld food from the minor victim for four or five days after failing to collect the entire fee from a buyer. It is alleged that Parker regularly beat and choked the minor victim and did not let her receive necessary medical treatment.
In August 2023, Parker allegedly began trafficking a 17-year-old victim who had run away from a group home. It is alleged that Parker scheduled sex buyers for the minor victim, from which Parker would collect all the profits. It is further alleged that Parker threatened to physically assault the minor victim if she did not work.
“For months, these victims endured brutality and depravity allegedly at the hands of these individuals,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “While these arrests are a significant step toward securing justice, we recognize that this marks only the beginning of three survivors’ paths toward recovery. HSI New England, together with law enforcement partners, is committed to ensuring all trafficking victims are given access to the programs, services and resources necessary to their future healing and success.”
The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison, no less than five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of sex trafficking of a minor provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, no less than five years up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, no less than five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. sentencing guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
“The allegations in this case are truly chilling. One minor victim in this case was forced to engage in sex for money with many men. That young girl is someone’s daughter, she is someone’s granddaughter. It is hard to conceive of more vile conduct than what is set forth in these charges. Sex trafficking is not a distant problem — it is happening right here, in our neighborhoods, and often goes unnoticed or unreported,” said acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our office is relentlessly pursuing individuals who inflict such exploitation and suffering simply to line their own pockets. We are using every resource at our disposal to hold perpetrators accountable and seek justice for every victim.”
Krol, Levy and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Somerset Police Department in Massachusetts, the U.S. Marshals Service and South Carolina’s Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
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 (CCHT) 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 (VAP) provides a critical resource to HSI investigations and criminal prosecutions. The VAP 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 human trafficking, call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP. Callers may remain anonymous.