United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy | U.S. Department of Justice
A man from Lowell, Massachusetts, has been charged with sex trafficking and transporting a victim across four states. Melando Streety, also known as "Prez," aged 41, faces charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, along with five counts of transporting a person for prostitution purposes. Streety was apprehended in Michigan and is scheduled to appear initially in federal court in Detroit.
The indictment alleges that between September and December 2023, Streety coerced a victim into commercial sex work using various methods such as force and threats. During this period, he reportedly moved the victim from Nevada to Massachusetts and subsequently to Rhode Island and New York.
Sex trafficking by force carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and can lead to life imprisonment. It also includes at least five years of supervised release and fines up to $250,000. Each count related to transportation for prostitution could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and similar fines. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the case to contact them at 888-221-6023, option 5.
The announcement came from United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. The Cambridge Police Department and the Lowell Police Department provided crucial assistance during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty from the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit will prosecute the case.
It is important to note that all details mentioned are allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
