Boston Police Conduct Human Trafficking Operation Arresting 13 Individuals

Boston, September 24, 2025

News Summary

The Boston Police Department, in collaboration with state and federal agencies, arrested 13 individuals in a human trafficking operation focused on the Mass. and Cass area. The operation aimed to reduce sexual exploitation and improve public safety amid ongoing concerns about homelessness and drug use in the neighborhood. Nine of the arrested were charged with paying for sex, while several others faced additional charges, including outstanding warrants. Local officials are calling for coordinated responses to address the persistent issues in the area.

Boston

Boston Police Department reported on a series of arrests made from 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 22 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23. A total of 13 people were arrested in connection with a human trafficking operation near the Mass. and Cass area, which is known for issues related to homelessness, addiction, and mental health. The operation involved multiple law enforcement units and aimed to reduce sexual exploitation, disrupt victim recruitment, and address related public-safety problems in the corridor.

Key details of the operation

The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Massachusetts State Police Special Services Section High-Risk Victims Unit and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Goals included reducing sexual exploitation, disrupting victim recruitment, addressing property crime, and mitigating blight in the area. The enforcement period noted above covered a 24-hour window of focused activity and patrols.

Arrests, charges and case status

Nine of those arrested were charged with paying for sex and were released on personal recognizance. Additional named persons faced a range of charges or were taken into custody on outstanding warrants as set out below. The operation produced a mix of immediate arrests, citations and releases on personal recognizance tied to prostitution-related offenses and other criminal matters.

Suspects charged include:

• Eliphete Pierre, 33, of Brockton
• Nathan McGuire, 48, of Boston (also had an outstanding warrant for auto law violations)
• Donell P. Bernard, 38, of Brockton
• Stephen C. Leong, 40, of Marshfield
• Jamal Pryor, 49, of Boston
• Rey F. Becceril, 47, of Brockton
• Christifier C. Littlewood, 43, of Winchendon
• Cristian Brito-Delahera, 26, of Melrose
• Obdulio Perez Ixcot, 44, of Everett
• Mohamed A. Mahgoub, 31, of Boston

Additional named case details included the following: Gedenilson C. Ribeiro, 40, of Everett faced charges of paying for sex and resisting arrest; Adam C. Evans, 46, of Brockton pleaded not guilty to possession of a Class B substance; and Ralph Milord, 30, of Stoughton was arrested on outstanding default warrants.

Broader public-safety response

In total, the Boston Police Department responded to at least 235 incidents including three robberies, seven aggravated assaults, and multiple thefts and burglaries within the reported timeframe. Officers documented a broad range of calls for service in and around the Mass. and Cass corridor during the same 24-hour period in which the trafficking-focused enforcement took place.

Separately, Joseph Johnson was arrested in an unrelated traffic stop. Joseph Johnson, a separate case, was arrested for operating under the influence, found with a handgun and marijuana after being pulled over for running red lights.

Community response and policy steps

Residents in nearby neighborhoods have repeatedly raised concerns about visible drug use, discarded needles, trash and other blight tied to the Mass. and Cass area. Neighbors in South End have expressed concerns about worsening conditions in the Mass. and Cass area, including visible drug use, trash, and used needles.

Local officials have taken notice: Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a resolution to declare the Mass. and Cass area a public health, safety, and humanitarian crisis. The resolution seeks formal recognition of persistent conditions and asks for coordinated responses across city and state agencies.

What to expect next

Investigations by the participating law enforcement agencies are expected to continue as charges are processed and court appearances are scheduled. Where suspects were released on personal recognizance, cases are likely to proceed through the standard judicial process. Law enforcement indicated the operation aimed to combine criminal enforcement with victim-centered interventions and referrals to services, consistent with the involvement of specialized units focused on high-risk victims.

Background on the location

The Mass. and Cass area has for years been an area of concentrated public-health and public-safety concerns, including homelessness, substance use disorder, and mental-health needs. Efforts to address the corridor typically involve a combination of law enforcement, public-health agencies, social service providers and local government planning.

FAQ

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “When did the arrests occur?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Boston Police Department reported on a series of arrests made from 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 22 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How many people were arrested in the operation?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “A total of 13 people were arrested in connection with a human trafficking operation near the Mass. and Cass area, which is known for issues related to homelessness, addiction, and mental health.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Which agencies were involved in the operation?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Massachusetts State Police Special Services Section High-Risk Victims Unit and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What were the stated goals of the operation?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Goals included reducing sexual exploitation, disrupting victim recruitment, addressing property crime, and mitigating blight in the area.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Were any of the arrested released on personal recognizance?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Nine of those arrested were charged with paying for sex and were released on personal recognizance.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How many incidents did police respond to during the operation period?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “In total, the Boston Police Department responded to at least 235 incidents including three robberies, seven aggravated assaults, and multiple thefts and burglaries within the reported timeframe.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Was there a separate unrelated arrest?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Joseph Johnson, a separate case, was arrested for operating under the influence, found with a handgun and marijuana after being pulled over for running red lights.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who were the suspects named by the report?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Suspects charged include: Eliphete Pierre, 33, of Brockton; Nathan McGuire, 48, of Boston (also had an outstanding warrant for auto law violations); Donell P. Bernard, 38, of Brockton; Stephen C. Leong, 40, of Marshfield; Jamal Pryor, 49, of Boston; Rey F. Becceril, 47, of Brockton; Christifier C. Littlewood, 43, of Winchendon; Cristian Brito-Delahera, 26, of Melrose; Obdulio Perez Ixcot, 44, of Everett; Mohamed A. Mahgoub, 31, of Boston.”
}
}
]
}

Table: Named individuals and noted charges/status from the report

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Boston Police Report 168 Incidents and Multiple Arrests
Boston Police Report 208 Incident Responses in 24 Hours
Boston Police Officer Injured By Hypodermic Needle
Worcester: Missing 17-Year-Old Sister Remains Unlocated
Boston Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson Faces Sentencing
Somerville Responds to Federal Order on Homeless Encampments
Boston to Uphold Sanctuary Policies Despite Federal Pressure
Dorchester Man Sentenced for Drug and Gun Charges
South Boston Boy Tests Negative for HIV After Needle Incident
Boston Police Arrest 13 in Human Trafficking Operation

Additional Resources

• Boston.com: Boston Police Arrest 13 in Human Trafficking Bust
• Boston.com: Feds Arrest 171 Suspected Members of Drug Cartel in New England
• Boston.com: Man Arrested on Sex Offense at Benson Boone’s Boston Concert
• Boston25News: Boston Police Arrest 13 People in Human Trafficking Bust
• Wikipedia: Human Trafficking in the United States

Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER

BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.