1 Arrested After Trafficked Woman Subjected to 'Violent Sexual Abuse' When She Did Not Comply: Police

SHIRLEY, NY — A Shirley man has been arrested in connection with sex trafficking after a year-and-a-half-long investigation, Suffolk police said.

The investigation, which began in May 2025, determined Anton Trent was forcing a 29-year-old woman into prostitution and, if she did not comply, he would subject her to violent sexual abuse, according to police.

Human Trafficking Investigations Unit detectives executed search warrants on Thursday at two locations, on Moriches Middle Island Road in Shirley, and arrested Trent, police said.

Trent, 50, was charged with second-degree promoting prostitution, first-degree aggravated sexual abuse, and three counts of sex trafficking.

He will be held overnight at the 3rd Precinct, and will be arraigned on Friday at First District Court in Central Islip. It was not immediately clear if he has legal representation.

Human Trafficking Investigations Unit detectives were helped by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, detectives from the 7th Precinct's detective squad, crime and anti-crime units, and patrol in Shirley, as well as the police department's narcotics, criminal intelligence, and Warrants sections.

The unit was also helped by the police department's Telephone Records and Surveillance Unit, as well as Nassau County District Attorney investigators and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have additional information on this case or other cases to call
631-854-7512, or Crime Stoppers, a confidential police hotline, at 1-800-220-TIPS.