Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Lynn resident has pleaded guilty to charges related to sex trafficking and coercion involving two women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anthony Coleman, 36, admitted in federal court to financially benefiting from trafficking and persuading both victims to travel across state lines for prostitution.
Coleman entered his plea before U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns, who set sentencing for March 11, 2026. Coleman was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024 and remains in custody.
According to court documents, Coleman targeted women who had lost their jobs or homes between March and August of 2020 due to the pandemic shutdowns. He moved them into a house in Lawrence, posted or controlled online advertisements for commercial sex acts, provided scripts for negotiating with buyers, transported them to various locations including hotels, and required them to turn over all earnings. The statement also notes that "Coleman also regularly coerced and forced his victims to have sex with him."
In one instance from March 2020, Coleman recruited a woman who had become unemployed because of the pandemic. She reportedly served up to 10-16 clients per day while Coleman kept all profits. He also took her on multiple trips to Florida where she engaged in commercial sex work under his direction. The release states that "Coleman also physically abused the victim – one time holding the victim underwater and threatening to drown her."
Another victim was recruited around March and April 2020 after being kicked out of her home following disagreements about COVID-19 safety practices. Unable to find employment due to business closures, she began working for Coleman in commercial sex activities. In May 2020, he persuaded her to travel to California for similar purposes and threatened harm against her family if she attempted to leave: "When she wanted to leave Coleman threatened the victim – telling her that if she left, he would hurt her mother and her sibling."
The charges carry potential sentences of up to life imprisonment for benefitting financially from trafficking and up to 20 years for knowingly persuading someone to travel for prostitution-related activities. Both offenses may include supervised release periods and fines up to $250,000 each.
"United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today." The Massachusetts State Police along with Revere and Cambridge Police Departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings is prosecuting the case.
