Woman Escaped Patchogue Motel After Sex Trafficking Ordeal: DA

PATCHOGUE, NY — A Bay Shore man was indicted on sex trafficking and related charges after prosecutors said he used violence, drugs and threats to force a woman to engage in commercial sex acts over several days at a Patchogue motel.

Torrey Brown, 35, also known as “Smiley,” was arraigned Friday before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski on charges including sex trafficking by force, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

According to prosecutors, Brown was staying at the Shore Motor Inn in Patchogue on March 30 when he paid for a taxi to bring the victim to the motel.

Once she arrived, Brown provided her with drugs and told her she owed him a debt, prosecutors said. He then forced her to engage in sex acts with others for money to repay that debt, according to the investigation.

Even after the woman gave Brown the amount he claimed she owed, prosecutors said Brown told her she owed him more money.

Over the next several days, Brown prevented the woman from leaving the motel room by blocking the door, punching her in the face, giving her controlled substances that caused her to overdose, and threatening her with a knife, prosecutors said.

The woman escaped from the motel room on April 5, after Brown fell asleep, prosecutors said. She then asked the motel staff to call the police. Brown was arrested at the scene.

Brown was indicted on one count of sex trafficking by force, a Class B violent felony; four counts of sex trafficking, Class B felonies; and one count of attempted promoting prostitution in the third degree, a Class E felony.

Pilewski ordered Brown held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $5 million partially secured bond while the case is pending.

Brown is due back in court on July 31. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count, prosecutors said.

He is represented by Scott Zerner, who was not immediately available to comment.

“This defendant allegedly used violence, drugs, and threats to control a woman and force her to do sexual acts against her will,” Tierney said. “Sex trafficking has no place in Suffolk County, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring traffickers to justice.”