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Press Release

Indictment Charges Worcester Man with Sex Trafficking

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a grand jury sitting in Hartford returned an indictment today charging MOHAMED ABDI, also known as “Vic,” 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

As alleged in the indictment, between late December 2016 and January 5, 2017, ABDI recruited, harbored, transported and maintained a female victim to engage in commercial acts, benefitted financially, and used force, fraud or coercion.

ABDI has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on January 5, 2017.

If convicted, ABDI faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life on the sex trafficking charge, and a maximum term of imprisonment of life on the conspiracy charge.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Wethersfield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

Updated September 6, 2017

Topic
Human Trafficking