Thirteen people were arrested in connection with a human trafficking bust carried out by Boston, state and federal authorities at the troubled Mass and Cass area.
The joint operation — carried out by special units from the Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and FBI — focused on the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, BPD said on Tuesday.
The intersection is commonly referred to as Mass and Cass and is an area that has become notorious in recent years for its crime, open-air drug use and dealing, along with drug and human trafficking activity.
“The operation targeted individuals engaged in criminal activity in the Newmarket Square area, with the goal of reducing sexual exploitation, disrupting the recruitment of victims and addressing related criminal offenses,” Boston Police said in a statement.
“Additional objectives included reducing property crime and mitigating blight-related concerns,” the BPD statement said. “This coordinated effort supports the Boston Police Department’s mission to reduce fear, enhance public safety, and improve the quality of life for residents.”
Participating law enforcement agencies spent time observing the alleged crime that was occurring in the Allerton and Pompeii Street areas, and, as a result of the operation, arrested 13 people largely on prostitution charges, according to BPD.
The 13 people arrested and expected to be arraigned on their respective charges in Roxbury District Court are:
- 33-year-old Eliphete Pierre of Brockton: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 46-year-old Adam C. Evans of Brockton: Possession of Class B Substance
- 30-year-old Ralph Milord of Stoughton: Outstanding default warrants out of Boston Municipal Court for Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the Peace, Resisting Arrest, Common Law Interfere with Police Officer, Withholding Evidence from a Criminal Proceeding, and Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
- 48-year-old Nathan McGuire of Boston: Sexual Conduct for Fee and an outstanding straight warrant for Violations of the Auto Laws
- 38-year-old Donell P. Bernard of Brockton: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 40-year-old Stephen C. Leong of Marshfield: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 49-year-old Jamal Pryor of Boston: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 47-year-old Rey F. Becceril of Brockton: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 43-year-old Christifier C. Littlewood of Winchendon: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 26-year-old Cristian Brito-Delahera of Melrose: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 44-year-old Obdulio Perez Ixcot of Everett: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 31-year-old Mohamed A. Mahgoub of Boston: Sexual Conduct for Fee
- 40-year-old Gedenilson C. Ribeiro of Everett: Sexual Conduct for Fee and Resisting Arrest
The joint operation included officers assigned to the Boston Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit and District B-2 (Roxbury), the Massachusetts State Police Special Services Section High-Risk Victims Unit, and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
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