Massachusetts man busted for alleged sex trafficking near Mass and Cass
A 20-year-old Braintree man is facing sex trafficking charges after he was busted near Mass and Cass, according to the Suffolk DA’s office.
Sacharis Gathers has been charged with trafficking for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, and possession with intent to distribute a class B substance.
Members of the Boston Police Human Trafficking and the Massachusetts State Police High-Risk Victims units on Monday conducted an investigation in the areas of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.
Police reportedly saw an online ad on “Skip the Games,” a platform linked to sex trafficking and exploitation, featuring a person known by them to be a victim of exploitation and violent assaults.
Investigators then made arrangements for a meetup using the phone number listed on the ad.
Then at 8:18 p.m., detectives saw a car arrive with two people. The victim got out of the car and entered the meetup location.
Detectives then placed the driver, later identified as Gathers, into custody. Police recovered three plastic bags of crack cocaine from Gathers.
“Fighting sex trafficking crimes incorporates vigilance, surveillance, knowledge of the people involved and quick action, all of which were demonstrated by Boston and state police in this incident,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “It also involves agency and community outreach to help victims who may be vulnerable to exploitation.”
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The judge ordered Gathers held on $50,000 bail with GPS monitoring and home confinement if released.
Gathers is due back in court on Feb. 12 for a probable cause hearing.