A federal court in Boston has unsealed a superseding indictment charging two men with conspiring to engage in the sex trafficking of a minor. David Kaufman, 44, was arrested on April 16, 2025, and charged with one count of knowingly persuading, inducing, enticing, and coercing an individual to travel interstate for prostitution and aiding and abetting.
The new indictment also charges Darren Zaldivar, 19, from Ludlow, Massachusetts. He is accused of transporting an individual with the intent that they engage in prostitution. Both men face charges of conspiring to engage in sex trafficking of a minor. Additionally, Kaufman faces an added charge of sex trafficking a minor.
Zaldivar is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston later today while Kaufman remains detained in federal custody.
According to previous detention briefs filed by the authorities, Kaufman allegedly victimized minors and young adults aged between 14-20 by paying them for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and coercing some to travel to his penthouse condominium at the Four Seasons in Baltimore for sexual acts which he recorded. Zaldivar is alleged to have conspired with Kaufman in these activities during 2024.
Court documents allege that Kaufman coerced an 18-year-old victim from Massachusetts on two occasions by providing plane tickets for visits to his Baltimore residence. There he allegedly supplied alcohol and drugs before persuading the victim into sex acts which were videotaped. In exchange for these acts, it is claimed that Kaufman provided cash, electronic money transfers, gifts such as a Louis Vuitton bag after February 2024 encounters.
Authorities urge anyone with information or concerns about this investigation or related incidents involving commercial sex trafficking or child exploitation to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
The charges carry severe penalties: coercing someone for prostitution can result in up to 20 years imprisonment; sex trafficking a minor could lead up to life imprisonment; transporting individuals for prostitution carries up to 20 years; conspiracy charges can also result up to life sentences. Sentences are determined by federal judges based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced these developments alongside Kimberly Milka from the FBI's Boston Division. The U.S Attorney’s Office District of Maryland along with FBI's Baltimore Field Office and Baltimore Police Department provided assistance. Assistant U.S Attorneys Torey B Cummings and Craig E Estes are prosecuting this case.
It must be noted that all details within charging documents remain allegations until proven beyond reasonable doubt within legal proceedings where defendants hold presumption innocence rights under law.
