Brockton Man Pleads Guilty To Sex Trafficking Conspiracy Charges

Brockton MA

18 February, 2022

11:55 AM

Description

BROCKTON, MA — A former man from Brockton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and other related charges Thursday, U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said Thursday. Matthew Engram, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, two counts of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution, and one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise. Engram admitted that from Jan. 2009 until Aug. 2015, he and a co-conspirator recruited and trafficked three victims from a residence in Brockton, and Engram took all or part of the proceeds. In court, Engram admitted to advertising the victims on websites, organized prostitution dates, and reserving hotel rooms. Prosecutors say that when the victims did not comply with Engram's demands to prostitute for his profit, he physically assaulted them, or had someone else assault them. Rollins' office says Engram also admitted to transporting victims to other states, including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Florida, and Maine, to perform commercial sex acts. "Human trafficking is an insidious crime that exploits vulnerable members of our society, causing unimaginable and lasting harm," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department is committed to using every available resource to prosecute human traffickers and to support human trafficking survivors." Sentencing in this matter has been set for May 19, 2022. The charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion provides for a maximum sentence of life in prison, no fewer than five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution include a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of racketeering provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.