(CBS-DETROIT) – A Massachusetts man was arrested in Michigan last Friday in connection with sex trafficking of a victim in four states.
Melando Streety, 41, of Lowell, Massachusetts, is charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and five counts of transporting a person to engage in prostitution. Streety will make his first appearance in federal court in Detroit.
According to an indictment, from September 2023 to December 2023, Streety allegedly coerced a victim into commercial sex through fraud, coercion, violence and threats of violence. During that time, Streety allegedly took the victim from Nevada to Massachusetts, and then to Rhode Island and New York, and forced the victim into prostitution.
If convicted of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, Streety faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, plus at least five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Each charge of transporting a person to engage in prostitution carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Victims of human trafficking or people who know someone they believe may need help can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text 233733. This national, toll-free hotline is open 24 hours a day , available 7 days a week and all conversations are confidential.
