'Supa Mario' Indicted for Sex Trafficking in Greater Boston

BOSTON, MA – A statewide grand jury indicted a Boston man known as "Supa Mario" on charges he gave women drugs and trafficked them for sex in several greater Boston communities, including Newton, Waltham, Boston, Brookline and Springfield, Attorney General Maura Healey announced Friday.

Hendricks Mario Berdet, 31, who also goes by "Capo" and "Supa Capo," was indicted Thursday. He faces 12 counts of trafficking in persons for sexual servitude; one count of rape; 10 counts of deriving support from prostitution; and five counts of intimidating a witness.

Berdet was arrested in Medford last month. The attorney general's office began investigating him in November after the case was referred by the Boston Police Department.

Authorities allege Berdet supplied multiple women with drugs, including heroin and cocaine, in exchange for them engaging in sex for his own personal profit. He allegedly posted on websites known to advertise sexual services and brought the women to various homes and hotels in greater Boston to exchange sex for a fee, all of which he pocketed, the AG's office said.

Berdet also allegedly required the women to reach a certain quota each night – usually between $1,000 and $1,500 – and in some cases confiscated the women's ID or bank cards.

"Ending the sexual exploitation of human beings is one of my office’s highest priorities," Healey said in a statement. "In the midst of a deadly and widespread opioid epidemic, we continue to find individuals preying upon those struggling with addiction."

Berdet will be arraigned in Suffolk, Middlesex, Hampden and Norfolk counties, where he allegedly operated, at later dates.

A second man, 27-year-old David Rivera, was also indicted for his alleged role in transporting the women to and from meetings arranged by Berdet. He faces four counts of conspiracy to traffic persons for sexual servitude.

Editor's Note: This story was written using information provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. The individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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