“Winston Williams kept a woman trapped in a cycle of drugs and debts while lining his pockets,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Traffickers target vulnerable New Yorkers all too often, as this defendant did by specifically seeking out someone with substance use disorders. If you or someone you know has information about forced labor, sexual exploitation, or related forms of coercion, please contact our Human Trafficking Unit at 212-335-3400. Help is available.”

“Jonathan Ruiz ran a violent sex trafficking operation that spanned from Massachusetts to Delaware,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Even while incarcerated, he continued to harm a trafficking survivor by hiding her from law enforcement and continuing to use her to make a profit. We want survivors to know that this is a safe place to seek help. Please call us at 212-335-3400.”  

“Again and again, we see traffickers target runaway children in our busiest transit hubs and use various forms of coercion to force them to perform commercial sexual acts,” said D.A. Bragg.

“These horrific allegations detail an abhorrent sex trafficking scheme that preyed on vulnerable people so the ringleaders could turn a profit,” said District Attorney Bragg.

“These commonsense fixes underscore that survivors of sex trafficking are survivors of sexual violence, and deserve the same protections under New York State law,” said District Attorney Bragg.