Brockton Man Charged with Sex Trafficking in Braintree

A Brockton man and a Boston man who are accused of engaging in sex trafficking in Braintree will face charges in U.S. District Court in Boston with sex trafficking

Kwamaine J. Wells, 26, was indicted on two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, four counts of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution, and one count of conspiracy to transport an individual for prostitution. Akil J. DeCoteau, 27, was indicted on one count of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution and one count of conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

According to the indictment, Wells transported four women between Maine, Massachusetts and New York from April 2013 to February 2014 with the intent that they engage in prostitution. Wells allegedly used force and threats to coerce two of the women to engage in prostitution.

The indictment further alleges that from May 2013 to January 2014, Wells and DeCoteau conspired together to transport women between Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York with the intent that they engage in prostitution.

The Patriot Ledger reports that Wells brought at least one woman to Braintree to work as a prostitute, according to the unsealed indictment.

With motels near the highway, this isn’t the first time a location in Braintree has been used for prostitution. Last year, Ryan Duntin of Randolph received prison time for human trafficking and deriving support from prostitution in Braintree and several other communities in Massachusetts.

If convicted of sex trafficking, the two face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of transportation to engage in prostitution provides ha a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.