FBI Boston
Kristen Setera
(857) 386-2905
October 20, 2017

Three Arrested in Connection with Human Trafficking Operation

WOBURN—Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Woburn Police Chief Robert Ferullo, and Newton Police Chief David MacDonald have announced that three men have been charged following a joint operation with the FBI Boston Division’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force targeting human trafficking.

On Friday, October 13, 2017, authorities in Woburn conducted an undercover investigation at a hotel on Mishawum Road in Woburn. Authorities discovered two alleged sex traffickers who were trafficking a young adult female out of their motor vehicle. Authorities also searched the men and the motor vehicle and allegedly located approximately 117 grams of drugs, including cocaine and marijuana, as well as $24,000 in cash.

Woburn Police subsequently arrested Theodore Gamble Williams, 32, of Dorchester, and charged him with trafficking cocaine, trafficking a person for sexual servitude, possession with intent to distribute a Class C substance, conspiracy, trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, conspiracy to violate the drug laws, and resisting arrest. Woburn Police also arrested Jarrid Thomas, 29, of Roxbury, and charged him with trafficking cocaine, trafficking a person for sexual servitude, conspiracy, and conspiracy to violate the drug laws.

Gamble-Williams and Thomas were arraigned on October 16, 2017 in Woburn District Court.

Judge David Frank set bail for Gamble-Williams at $25,000 cash and ordered the defendant to stay away from, and have no contact with, the victim. Judge Frank then revoked Gamble-Williams’ bail due to a pending case. The next scheduled hearing is October 30.

Judge Frank set bail for Thomas at $25,000 cash and ordered the defendant to stay away from, and have no contact with, the victim. The next scheduled hearing in this case is October 30.

Newton Police also conducted an undercover sting as part of the FBI’s human trafficking operation at a hotel on Grove Street in Newton. As part of the investigation undercover officers engaged in communications with a female through a website that advertises sexual services and text messages arranging a meeting on October 13, 2017 at a Newton hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, authorities spoke to the female whose advertisement they had responded to. She described a motor vehicle that the man who had brought her to the hotel was operating. Newton Police located the motor vehicle matching her description and placed James Florence, 22, of Dorchester, under arrest.

Florence was arraigned in Newton District Court on October 16, 2017. Judge Mary Hefferman set bail at $1,000 cash. The next scheduled hearing in this case is November 17.

This investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the FBI Boston Division’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force, The Woburn Police Department, The Newton Police Department, Arlington Police Department, Malden Police Department, Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force, The Boston Police Department, The Revere Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to these cases is Assistant District Attorney Carrie Spiros.