Boston police collaborated with federal agents for an undercover prostitution sting operation.
Nine individuals were arrested in Boston during an undercover prostitution sting near South Bay mall, led by local police and federal agents. Charges include soliciting sex and felony charges related to child enticement. The operation aimed to combat ongoing issues of human trafficking and exploitation in the city, revealing organized networks that prey on vulnerable populations. The sting follows a similar operation that resulted in multiple arrests, highlighting the authorities’ commitment to public safety and awareness.
Nine individuals have been arrested in Boston during an undercover prostitution sting, which occurred on July 24 in the vicinity of the South Bay mall. The operation involved collaboration among Boston police officers, Massachusetts State Police, and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Eight of the men taken into custody have been charged with a misdemeanor for paying for sex, while a ninth suspect, Raj Kumar Sah, 33, faces felony charges related to the enticement of a child under the age of 16. Those charged with soliciting sex include individuals from Boston, Medford, Dorchester, Shrewsbury, Dedham, and surrounding areas, with ages ranging from 24 to 68.
The individuals who face charges for paying for sex are:
Court records indicate that Galdamez Surio has additional charges of shoplifting and resisting arrest. The undercover operation was initiated after leads from the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit indicated that women in the area were becoming victims of exploitation for commercial sex.
The operation unveiled organized criminal networks that prey on vulnerable populations grappling with issues such as poverty, addiction, and unstable housing situations. Previous law enforcement actions suggest a growing concern, as this sting was a follow-up to a similar operation in June that led to 13 arrests.
During this latest sting, alleged sex buyers either responded to online advertisements posted by undercover officers or approached officers posing as potential providers of sexual services while standing on sidewalks. Notably, Galdamez Surio reportedly agreed to pay $200 for sexual acts but fled when officers attempted to arrest him, even trying to disguise himself by stealing a shirt from a local Target store.
In a more severe incident, Raj Kumar Sah allegedly offered an undercover officer, who was posing as a 15-year-old girl, $300 for sexual services. Sah was employed as a research scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital, which confirmed that he had no patient contact. Following his arrest, the hospital began the process of terminating his employment.
So far, eight of the nine men have pleaded not guilty to their charges, with Pradeep Mishra scheduled for arraignment on August 19. Djadoune’s lawyer asserts that he is “factually innocent,” claiming that Djadoune was in Boston with a delegation from Algeria and was confused during the incident leading to his arrest. Djadoune also provided consent for a search of his cellphone to demonstrate that he had no interactions with the undercover officer.
In preparation for the sting, police conducted surveillance along the Massachusetts Avenue corridor and placed undercover advertisements on various sex-related websites. Suspects in the sting offered a wide range of prices for sexual services, with amounts varying between $10 and $350 based on the specific acts requested.
Additionally, two politicians have expressed their support for the sting operation, emphasizing the ongoing issues related to drug use and human trafficking that continue to impact the Boston area. The operation aimed to address and curtail these persistent societal problems, highlighting the collaborative efforts of local law enforcement agencies in tackling such serious offenses.
As the legal process continues, authorities remain vigilant about addressing exploitation and trafficking issues in Boston, maintaining public safety and awareness within the community.
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