United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy | U.S. Department of Justice
A Florida man has admitted guilt in a federal court in Boston for his involvement in a sex trafficking conspiracy and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Angelo Dominic Lombardo, 29, entered his guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, threats, fraud, and coercion, as well as illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The sentencing is set for April 8, 2025, under Chief U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV.
Lombardo was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2022. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy stated, "Mr. Lombardo deceived his victims with promises of a better life, and then he delivered the exact opposite. He forced them into a life of sexual servitude, all for his own personal gain." Levy emphasized the office's commitment to holding such individuals accountable.
Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Division, described Lombardo's actions as "horrific," noting that he used "force, fraud, and coercion to traffic vulnerable women for his own financial benefit." Cohen added that Lombardo mistakenly believed he could evade law enforcement by coming to Boston.
The investigation revealed that from June 2020 to July 12, 2021, Lombardo conspired with others to traffic four victims for commercial sex acts through physical assault and psychological coercion. He also made false promises of better lives and issued explicit threats involving firearms.
One victim was recruited in Florida in June 2020 and directed by Lombardo to engage in commercial sex across various states including Massachusetts. Despite promises of a better life, the victim handed over her earnings to Lombardo while facing violence if she attempted to leave.
Another victim recruited around October 2020 faced threats against her family if she did not comply with Lombardo's demands. In one instance when she resisted further commercial sex activities, Lombardo confiscated her license and physically assaulted her.
In May 2021, Lombardo met another victim in Portland who was homeless at the time. After providing shelter and advertising her on commercial sex websites, he transported her twice to Boston for such activities while retaining her earnings.
A final victim was recruited shortly after turning 18 years old in June 2021 in Portland with promises of financial stability which were not fulfilled as Lombardo kept her earnings.
One victim reported the trafficking activities to police leading to Lombardo’s arrest on July 12, 2021 during a traffic stop in Boston where he had $3,310 on him. A search linked him to a hotel room where authorities found a firearm matching descriptions given by two victims along with ammunition. Due to prior felony convictions, Lombardo is barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Public members suspecting they may be victims are urged to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov or visit https://polarisproject.org/ for resources related to commercial sex trafficking.
The charge of sex trafficking conspiracy carries potential penalties including life imprisonment while being a felon with firearm possession can lead up to ten years imprisonment among other fines and supervised release terms as per federal guidelines.
The announcement came from Acting U.S. Attorney Levy alongside FBI SAC Cohen and BPD Commissioner Cox acknowledging support from Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office; Revere and Arlington Police Departments with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Mackenzie Duane and Elizabeth Riley-Cunniffe.
