Brockton Man Indicted on Sex Trafficking Charges

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Brockton man has been indicted on sex trafficking charges in Rhode Island.

Andy Joseph, 24, will face charges of sex trafficking a child, transportation of minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of traveling in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to the US Attorney's office.

On June 15, 2016, Joseph allegedly met with a Rhode Island teenage that he was communicating with on the internet. The two drove to a hotel in Seekonk, where Joseph allegedly took pictures of the teen and posted the photographs of her in advertisements for commercial sexual activity on Backpage.com.

Authorities allege that between June 15 and August 13, Joseph arranged for sexual encounters involving the 15-year-old. It is alleged that following each commercial sexual encounter, most or all of the money was turned over to Joseph, at his insistence.

If found guilty Joseph faces at 10 years to life in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for the charge of sex trafficking a child and transportation of minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and up to 30 years and lifetime supervised release for the charge of traveling in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity

Joseph has been in federal custody since Dec. 1, 2016.

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