Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the indictment of a 41-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man, both from Huntington Station, for their involvement in the sex trafficking of a 14-year-old child. The case highlights the disturbing reality of child exploitation and the urgent need to hold sex buyers and traffickers accountable.
According to the investigation, the female defendant entered into a relationship with the victim’s mother in 2019. She often stayed at their apartment, where the victim and her two siblings resided. As the mother went to work, the female defendant took care of the children, including the victim.
During her time at the apartment, the male defendant, a friend of the female co-defendant, frequently visited. Allegedly, both defendants engaged in grooming behaviors, manipulating and coercing the victim into engaging in sexual acts with the male defendant.
In November 2019, while the victim’s mother was at work, the male defendant allegedly took the 14-year-old victim to a motel in Huntington, where he raped her. Afterward, he provided the victim with cash and instructed her to give it to the female defendant.
Shockingly, this was not an isolated incident. The female defendant allegedly sold the victim to the male defendant for sex at least three more times over the course of the following year, when the victim was between the ages of 14 and 15. Each time, the female defendant arranged for the male defendant to take the victim to the same motel, where he subjected her to further sexual acts and paid the female defendant. All these incidents occurred while the female defendant was responsible for the victim and her sibling’s care while their mother was at work.
The victim finally disclosed the alleged abuse to a counselor in August 2022 after one of her younger siblings revealed that they were also approached by the female defendant for similar sexual activity with the male defendant. Fearing for her sibling’s safety, the victim came forward to protect them. As a result, both defendants were arrested on September 13, 2023.
The female defendant faces four counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child, two counts of Promoting Prostitution in the First Degree, and two counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree. The male defendant is charged with two counts of Rape in the Second Degree, six counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, two counts of Aggravated Patronizing a Minor for Prostitution in the Second Degree, three counts of Rape in the Third Degree, five counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, three counts of Aggravated Patronizing a Minor for Prostitution in the Third Degree, and six counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree.
During the female defendant’s arraignment on October 6, 2023, Acting Supreme Court Judge Karen M. Wilutis ordered her to be held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially secured bond until the case’s resolution. The female defendant is scheduled to appear in court again on November 21, 2023, with legal representation provided by Scott Zerner, Esq.
In contrast, the male defendant was released under supervised release with the probation department during his arraignment on September 14, 2023. The District Attorney’s Office had requested that he be held on $500,000 cash, $750,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond. However, District Court Judge Bernard C. Cheng ordered his release, a decision objected to by the District Attorney’s Office. The male defendant is set to be arraigned on the indictment on October 17, 2023, and is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.
This case underscores the critical need to address the issue of child sex trafficking. No child should suffer such horrors at the hands of those entrusted with their care and protection. It is crucial to continue holding sex buyers and traffickers accountable for their actions, as doing so will help eradicate this scourge from our community. By conducting investigations, prosecuting offenders, and providing support to victims, law enforcement and support organizations can work together to combat child exploitation effectively.
It is essential for communities to recognize the signs of child sex trafficking and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities. By remaining vigilant and raising awareness, society can contribute to the effort of protecting vulnerable children from these heinous crimes.
To combat child exploitation effectively, collaboration is crucial. Organizations, law enforcement, and community members must work together to provide safe spaces for victims to come forward and break free from their oppressors. Education and awareness programs regarding the dangers of sex trafficking should be implemented in communities, schools, and social services to prevent future victims from falling into the hands of traffickers.
Through a united front and ongoing dedication, we can strive to eradicate child sex trafficking and create a safer world for all children. It is our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us and provide them with the support and resources they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
