Defendant maintained a tent at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard that he used as hub to traffic women for commercial sex and distribute drugs
BOSTON — A Boston man pleaded guilty Sept. 19 to sex trafficking and cocaine charges after a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England investigation into his involvement in a drug and sex trafficking hub.
The hub operated out of a tent at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard (Mass and Cass) in Boston. The defendant preyed on women, particularly in the Boston area and Cape Cod — some of whom he transported from Massachusetts to other states, including New York, for commercial sex.
Jonathan Vaughan aka Ason, 37, pleaded guilty to three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; two counts of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution; and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Dec. 19.
In March 2022, Vaughan was indicted by a federal grand jury. Pursuant to a plea agreement filed with the court, the parties agreed to a sentence that includes 180 months in prison should the court accept the agreed upon disposition at the time of sentencing.
“Jonathan Vaughan preyed on his victims solely because of their vulnerabilities. He used their circumstances against them and for his own personal gain,” said acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Sex trafficking incidents have been increasing, and in many cases, happen in plain sight. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to weed out individuals like Vaughan and hold them accountable for their actions.”
“Vaughan preyed on individuals who struggled with substance use, using their vulnerabilities against them to exert control and force them into violent and dangerous situations. We hope that this guilty plea and the knowledge that Vaughan is facing serious federal prison time brings some peace to those he victimized,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “This case is the result of the close collaboration of our partner agencies, particularly Boston Police, Suffolk District Attorney’s Office and the Barnstable Police Department.”
From at least June 2019 through October 2021, Vaughan recruited and trafficked three women victims to engage in commercial sex acts, and in or about October 2021, transported two of the victims to another state for purposes of prostitution. At the time of his arrest on state charges, on Oct. 13, 2021, Vaughan possessed 15 bags of cocaine intended for distribution to drug users.
Dating back to at least 2019, Vaughan systematically preyed on women throughout Massachusetts, particularly in Boston and on Cape Cod. From at least late spring or early summer of 2021 until his arrest on state charges, Vaughan maintained a tent at Mass and Cass which he used as a hub for distributing drugs and recruiting and trafficking women.
Vaughan permitted his sex trafficking victims to stay in and bring “dates” back to his tent so long as he received the proceeds of the commercial sex acts that the women engaged in at his direction. He recruited victims in and around Mass and Cass and Downtown Crossing as well as on the internet, including over Facebook. Vaughan also brought his victims to hotels in Boston, Chelsea, Saugus, Cape Cod, as well as Queens and Manhattan, New York.
Vaughan forced at least two of his victims to solicit themselves outdoors by walking “the track” in areas such as Mass and Cass, Broadway in Chelsea, and in and around Times Square in Manhattan. Dating back to at least 2019, Vaughan engaged in both physical and sexual violence against his victims to manipulate them and to assert power and control over them.
According to court documents, Vaughan called himself “Ason the Pimp,” has a tattoo across his chest that states “Pimp or Die,” and wrote music in which he glorified his work as a pimp and the objectification of women.
Members of the public who believe they may be a victim of this crime should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
The charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. 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.
Krol and Levy made the announcement Sept. 19. HSI’s investigation was led by the HSI Boston Human Trafficking and Smuggling Unit. Valuable assistance was provided the FBI’s Boston Division; the Barnstable and Boston Police Departments; and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
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.