Repeat Rapist Gets Life In Prison For Trafficking Young Relative

BOSTON, MA — A Boston man who raped and trafficked a teenage relative was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday, following his conviction for what Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley called “one of the most disturbing cases I’ve encountered in my career as a prosecutor.”

Delacy Morris, 46, of Roxbury was sentenced to one count of trafficking a person under 18 for sexual servitude and three counts each of rape, incest, and indecent assault and battery.

It came out in the trial that Morris was aware that the girl had been prostituted during 2016; he then repeatedly sexually assaulted her that fall; and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity for money. In court prosecutors showed he attempted to exploit the girl on backpage.com and made her available to others who trafficked her in exchange for a portion of the profits.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney Nicole Poirier of the DA’s Human Trafficking & Exploitation Unit, Judge Christopher Muse sentenced Morris to concurrent life terms on the trafficking conviction and two of the rape convictions.

He also sentenced Morris to 30 to 40 years on the third rape conviction, 20 years on the incest convictions, five years in state prison on two of the indecent assault and battery convictions, and 30 years of probation on the third indecent assault and battery conviction.

“The terms of this sentence are entirely appropriate to the magnitude of the crimes,” Conley said. “They represent the very worst kind of betrayal and exploitation. The victim can count on our support moving forward in her life, and every survivor of sexual assault and human trafficking should feel safe coming to us for help.”

Morris qualified for sentencing enhancements as a repeat offender because of his conviction for an aggravated rape in 2000 in which he was sentenced 15 years in prison.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone. Here are some resources:

While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence can also call their local rape crisis center for free and confidential services and to discuss their options. Support is available for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether they wish to take part in a criminal prosecution. Services by city and town can be found through Jane Doe Inc. at www.janedoe.org/find_help/search. Jane Doe Inc. is a coalition of 60 local member programs working together to find lasting solutions that promote the safety, liberty, and dignity for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

In Suffolk County, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers a free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Suffolk victim-witness advocates can assist in referrals to BARCC and a wide array of non-profit service providers who can offer additional support and services.

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