Horrific Maine Sex Trafficking Case Nets 2 People Long Sentences

Two people from Massachusetts are sentenced to prison for their control and trafficking of a woman in Maine.

Both Defendants Received Lengthy Prison Sentences

On Monday, a Maine judge sentenced two people in connection with this case.

• Ricardo Middleton, 32, of Boston is sentenced to 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. He was found guilty in December 2023 of sex trafficking a young woman through force, fraud, coercion, and obstruction in Maine.
• Sherry Jones, of Dorchester, Massachusetts is sentenced to 80 months (12 years) in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Jones has previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking in May 2023.

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Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations New England made a statement about the 'horrific violence' inflicted upon women connected to Middleton and others.

He targeted someone battling substance use issues and use this as a lever to control, making it even harder for her to escape the nightmare she found herself in.

The 25-year-old's name has not been released because she's a victim of abuse.

The Case Revolved Around the Abuse and Trafficking of a 25-Year-Old From Maine

According to the United States Attorney's Office District of Maine, the evidence presented at trial told the story of a 25-year-old Maine woman who was compelled to engage in commercial sex, drug use, lies, intimidation, physical violence, and rape as a means to control her. Testimony provided details of the three days in November 2015, in which Middleton, along with Jones and a co-defendant, Matthew Thatcher of Scarborough, Maine, took the victim to several locations in Maine and Massachusetts. Along the way, Middleton berated the victim, abused her physically and sexually, and humiliated her, stating that he was going to 'make a lot of money' off her.

On March 22nd, Thatcher was sentenced to 44 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Thatcher pleaded guilty in November 2023 to interstate transportation in aid of racketeering and contempt of court.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is Available 24/7

Anyone with information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24/7. Find more information about human trafficking on the hotline's website.