Lowell Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Transporting Victim Through Four States

BOSTON - A Lowell, Mass. man was arrested on Friday and charged with sex trafficking a victim in Massachusetts, Nevada, Rhode Island and New York.

Melando Streety, a/k/a "Prez," 41, was charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and five counts of transporting a person to engage in prostitution. Streety was arrested in Michigan and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Detroit.

According to the indictment, beginning in September 2023, and continuing to December 2023, Streety caused a victim to engage in commercial sex through the use of various means, including force, threats of force, fraud and coercion. During that period, he also transported the victim from Nevada to Massachusetts, and then to Rhode Island and New York, all to cause to the victim to engage in prostitution.

The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of transporting a person to engage in prostitution provides a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Members of the public who have information regarding this case should call 888-221-6023, option 4.

United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cambridge Police Department and the Lowell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.