TAMPA, Fla. — An Alabama man has been indicted for traveling from Massachusetts to Florida to engage in prostitution following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa.
Ray Thomas, 33, of Mobile, Alabama, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison if convicted on all counts.
According to the indictment, in December 2023, Thomas persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced an individual to travel from Massachusetts to Florida for the purpose of engaging in prostitution and sexual activity. He also transported the individual from Massachusetts to Florida.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the HSI Tampa and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Derry.
HSI Tampa's area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.
Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.
To report any information about human trafficking, contact the HSI Tip Line at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP.