Crime & Safety
Worcester Man May Serve 15 Years In Kidnapping, Trafficking Case
Marley Whonda, 38, was found guilty in late September. He could serve up to 15 years for the 2018 kidnapping.
WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester man who kidnapped, beat, and raped a mother of two last year will go to prison for 10 to 15 years, a Worcester County Superior Court judge ruled on Wednesday.
Marley Whonda, 38, was found guilty last week of kidnapping a 27-year-old woman and forcing her to perform sex work. Whonda also raped and assaulted the woman during a three-week ordeal, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Whonda took advantage of the woman last November when she came to Worcester for drug treatment, the Telgram and Gazette reported. Whonda forced the woman into prostitution several times per night, prosecutors said. He beat her when she tried to escape.
On top of the prison sentence, Whonda will also be on probation for five years when he gets out, according to the prosecutor's office.
