Boston Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking

BOSTON – A Boston man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Boston on sex trafficking offenses, including allegedly trafficking a minor he met on social media.

Jimall Dawn Brown, 33, was indicted on one count of sex trafficking of a minor; one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; one count of using a facility of interstate commerce to induce a minor to engage in prostitution; and one count of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution. Brown was previously charged by criminal complaint with one count of sex trafficking of a minor on Oct. 26, 2022. He has remained in custody since his arrest on Oct. 27, 2022.

According to the charging documents, Brown trafficked a 17-year-old victim to engage in commercial sex acts. It is alleged that Brown first met the victim, who was living outside Massachusetts, on social media and induced and coerced her to fly to Boston, with promises of a “better lifestyle.” Brown posted advertisements of the victim online and arranged “dates” for the victim to have sex in exchange for money. Brown allegedly set the pricing for the commercial sex acts she engaged in, for which he collected all of the funds.

In March 2022, Brown allegedly coerced the victim, who was still a minor at the time, to fly to Georgia, where he arranged for her to engage in commercial sex, for which he collected all of the funds. In April 2022, Brown allegedly took the victim to Nevada, again arranging for her to engage in commercial sex and keeping all of the funds.

According to the charging document, local law enforcement in Massachusetts met with the victim at which time she alleged that Brown told her she would have a better life if she came to Boston to “be with him,” however once she did so, Brown prevented her from leaving. Specifically, it is alleged that when the victim would attempt to leave Brown, he would threaten her or beat her up. For example, as stated in court documents, if she told him she wanted to go home, he would put his hands on her, slap her and yell at her. On multiple occasions, Brown allegedly hit the victim, choked her and physically restrained her.

Members of the public who believe they may be a victim of this alleged crime should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please visit https://polarisproject.org/ for information and resources. 

The charge of sex trafficking of a minor provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.  The sex trafficking statute also imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years for offenses committed by means of force, threats of force, fraud or coercion. The charge of using a facility of interstate commerce to induce a minor to engage in prostitution provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count also provides for mandatory restitution and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Arlington and Randolph Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings of Rollins’ Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.