Nine of the Defendants Arrested Today; 2 in State Custody on Unrelated Charges
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Geraldine Hart, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department, announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging 11 defendants with 15 counts of participating in the sex trafficking of, and related conduct victimizing, at least 10 young women. Nine defendants were arrested today and will be presented this afternoon before the Honorable Ona T. Wang, United States Magistrate Judge. Two additional defendants are in state custody and will be presented in federal court on a future date.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “The alleged conduct of these 11 defendants against women is as callous as it is alarming. Today’s indictment alleges they operated a pay-for-sex business with their clients, while they threatened, intimidated, and coerced their female ‘employees’ to participate in commercial sex acts for money. The unconscionable crime of sex trafficking is a societal problem that disproportionally preys upon our communities’ most vulnerable: women and children. If you have knowledge of sex trafficking crimes, you should immediately call 212-384-5000.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “There is a common belief that the victims of human sex trafficking aren’t truly victims. However evidence in this investigation shows the suspects allegedly used whatever means necessary to control and abuse these victims just to make money. The FBI New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force not only goes after the pimps and others involved in human trafficking, but we do all we can to help those girls who are being sold to start their lives again.”
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said: “The takedown of this alleged sex trafficking ring in Suffolk County is crucial in stopping predators who target the vulnerable for financial gain as well as support the victims in getting the necessary assistance they deserve. The success of this operation is why we work with our law enforcement partners and I commend the commitment of our department’s Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, NYPD, and the FBI, which led the investigation.”
As alleged, defendants LORENZO RANDALL, JUSTIN RIVERA, DWAYNE ANTHONY CONLEY, RICARDA DIAMOND, and BRIAN SMITH conspired to commit sex trafficking through force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion. In furtherance of the conspiracy, RANDALL allegedly punched, choked, and spit on certain of the victims. The indictment further alleges that RIVERA physically assaulted and brandished a dangerous weapon at a second victim. Allegedly knowing that this second victim was addicted to heroin, RIVERA withheld heroin from her unless she engaged in commercial sex acts at his direction and for his profit. Similarly, CONLEY is alleged to have physically assaulted a third victim, who was also a heroin addict, and provided her with heroin in exchange for her engagement in commercial sex acts on his behalf.
DIAMOND allegedly conspired with RANDALL to transport a victim to locations where she engaged in commercial sex acts caused by RANDALL’s force and threats of force. And SMITH allegedly arranged for hotels rooms to be used by women, including the first victim, who were engaging in commercial sex acts on RANDALL’s behalf.
Defendants RANDALL, CARL ANDREWS, GERALDINE FAUSTIN, and FRANKLYN FRANCISCO are alleged to have been members of a second conspiracy to commit sex trafficking through force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion. As alleged, FRANCISCO recruited a victim to engage in commercial sex acts on behalf of ANDREWS, knowing that the victim was addicted to controlled substances. ANDREWS is alleged to have falsely represented to that victim that ANDREWS would compensate her financially for engaging in commercial sex acts on his behalf. ANDREWS is also alleged to have withheld from that victim the controlled substances to which she was addicted unless she engaged in commercial sex acts at his direction and for his profit. RANDALL allegedly reserved a hotel room for the purpose of the fourth victim engaging in a commercial sex act, and FAUSTIN allegedly transported the fourth victim to locations where she engaged in commercial sex acts.
In addition, RANDALL is charged with four separate counts of sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion, in connection with the trafficking of three victims. ANDREWS is also charged with one count of sex trafficking of a victim by force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion.
Defendants ANTHONY DARBY and KARI PARKER are charged with two counts of violating the Mann Act for knowingly transporting two victims to multiple states, including New York and Connecticut, with the intent that those victims engage in prostitution. DIAMOND is also charged with a violation of the Mann Act for knowingly transporting a victim to multiple states, including New York and Connecticut, with the intent that the victim engage in prostitution.
Along with defendant MAGEN MOREAU, DARBY is further charged with conspiracy to violate the Travel Act. Specifically, MOREAU and DARBY allegedly published advertisements on the Internet offering commercial sex acts in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere.
DARBY and PARKER are also charged with conspiracy to violate the Travel Act. As alleged, DARBY and PARKER used an account held by PARKER with a classifieds website to publish advertisements on the Internet offering commercial sex acts in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere.
In addition to the six charges against him discussed previously, RANDALL is charged with two counts of conspiring to violate the Travel Act. With respect to the first of those conspiracies, RANDALL allegedly used a telephone to direct a co-conspirator not named in the indictment to promote, manage, establish, carry on, and facilitate the promotion, management, establishment, and carrying on of prostitution. Regarding the second, RANDALL allegedly instructed ANDREWS – who is also charged in the second Travel Act conspiracy – how to purchase and publish an advertisement for a commercial sex act on the Internet, which ANDREWS ultimately did. Lastly, in the ninth charge filed against him in the indictment, RANDALL is charged with violating the Travel Act, with respect to illegal prostitution.
According to the indictment, at least 10 young women were victims of the defendants’ crimes. The charged conduct occurred, as detailed in the indictment, between 2012 and 2018.
Charts containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department, and Special Agents from the FBI’s New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
COUNT
|
DEFENDANT(S)
|
AGE & PLACE OF RESIDENCE
|
MAX. TERM OF IMPRISONMENT
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Count One: Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking
(18 U.S.C. § 1594(c))
|
Lorenzo Randall
Justin Rivera
Dwayne Conley
Ricarda Diamond
Brian Smith
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
Age 50, Bay Shore, NY
Age 37, Mastick, NY
Age 30, Central Islip
|
Life
|
Count Two: Conspiracy to Commit sex Trafficking
(18 U.S.C. § 1594(c))
|
Lorenzo Randall
Carl Andrews
Geraldine Faustin
Franklyn Francisco
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
Age 45, Bay Shore, NY
Age 30, West Babylon, NY
Age 38, Central Islip, NY
|
Life
|
Count Three: Sex Trafficking by Force, Threats of Force, Fraud, or Coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1) and 2)
|
Lorenzo Randall
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
|
Life; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 15 Years
|
Count Four: Sex Trafficking by Force, Threats of Force, Fraud, or Coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1) and 2)
|
Lorenzo Randall
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
|
Life; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 15 Years
|
Count Five: Sex Trafficking by Force, Threats of Force, Fraud, or Coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1) and 2)
|
Lorenzo Randall
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
|
Life; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 15 Years
|
Count Six: Sex Trafficking by Force, Threats of Force, Fraud, or Coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1) and 2)
|
Lorenzo Randall
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
|
Life; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 15 Years
|
Count Seven: Sex Trafficking by Force, Threats of Force, Fraud, or Coercion (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), (b)(1) and 2)
|
Carl Andrews
|
Age 45, Bay Shore, NY
|
Life; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 15 Years
|
Count Eight: Mann Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 2421(a) and 2)
|
Anthony Darby
Kari Parker
|
Age 26, Mastick, NY
Age 22, Mastick, NY
|
10 Years
|
Count Nine: Mann Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 2421(a) and 2)
|
Anthony Darby
Kari Parker
|
Age 26, Mastick, NY
Age 22, Mastick, NY
|
10 Years
|
Count Ten: Mann Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 2421(a) and 2)
|
Ricarda Diamond
|
Age 37, Mastick, NY
|
10 Years
|
Count Eleven: Conspiracy to Violate the Travel Act (18 U.S.C. § 371)
|
Anthony Darby
Magen Moreau
|
Age 26, Mastick, NY
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
|
5 Years
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Count Twelve: Conspiracy to Violate the Travel Act (18 U.S.C. § 371)
|
Anthony Darby
Kari Parker
|
Age 26, Mastick, NY
Age 22, Mastick, NY
|
5 Years
|
Count Thirteen: Conspiracy to Violate the Travel Act (18 U.S.C. § 371)
|
Lorenzo Randall
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
|
5 Years
|
Count Fourteen: Conspiracy to Violate the Travel Act (18 U.S.C. § 371)
|
Lorenzo Randall
Carl Andrews
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
Age 45, Bay Shore, NY
|
5 Years
|
Count Fifteen: Travel Act (18 U.S.C. § 371)
|
Lorenzo Randall
|
Age 29, Bay Shore, NY
|
5 Years
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