Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Press Release

Defendant maintained a tent at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard which he used as hub to traffic women for commercial sex and distribute drugs

BOSTON - A Boston man pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking and cocaine charges stemming from his involvement in a drug and sex trafficking hub operating out of a tent at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard (Mass and Cass) in Boston. The defendant preyed on women, particularly in the Boston area and Cape Cod, some of whom he transported from Massachusetts to other states, including New York, for commercial sex.

Jonathan Vaughan, a/k/a "Ason," 37, pleaded guilty to three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, two counts of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Dec. 19, 2024. In March 2022, Vaughan was indicted by a federal grand jury. Pursuant to a plea agreement filed with the court, the parties agreed to a sentence that includes 180 months in prison should the court accept the agreed upon disposition at the time of sentencing.

"Jonathan Vaughan preyed on his victims solely because of their vulnerabilities. He used their circumstances against them and for his own personal gain," said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. "Sex trafficking incidents have been increasing, and in many cases, happen in plain sight. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to weed out individuals like Vaughan and hold them accountable for their actions."

"Vaughan preyed on individuals who struggled with substance use, using their vulnerabilities against them to exert control and force them into violent and dangerous situations. We hope that this guilty plea and the knowledge that Vaughan is facing serious federal prison time brings some peace to those he victimized," said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. "This case is the result of the close collaboration of our partner agencies, particularly Boston Police, Suffolk District Attorney's Office and The Barnstable Police Department."

From at least June 2019 through October 2021, Vaughan recruited and trafficked three female victims to engage in commercial sex acts, and in or about October 2021, transported two of the victims for purposes of prostitution to another state. At the time of his arrest on state charges, on Oct. 13, 2021, Vaughan possessed 15 bags of cocaine intended for distribution to drug users.

Dating back to at least 2019, Vaughan systematically preyed on women throughout Massachusetts, particularly in Boston and on Cape Cod. From at least late spring or early summer of 2021 until his arrest on state charges, Vaughan maintained a tent at Mass and Cass which he used as a hub for distributing drugs and recruiting and trafficking women.

Vaughan permitted his sex trafficking victims to stay in and bring "dates" back to his tent so long as he received the proceeds of the commercial sex acts that the women engaged in at his direction. He recruited victims in and around Mass and Cass and Downtown Crossing as well as on the internet, including over Facebook. Vaughan also brought his victims to hotels in Boston, Chelsea, Saugus, Cape Cod, as well as Queens and Manhattan, N.Y.

Vaughan forced at least two of his victims to solicit themselves outdoors, by walking "the track" in areas such as Mass and Cass, Broadway in Chelsea and in and around Times Square in Manhattan, N.Y. Dating back to at least 2019, Vaughan engaged in both physical and sexual violence against his victims to manipulate them and to assert power and control over them.

According to court documents, Vaughan called himself "Ason the Pimp," has a tattoo across his chest that states: "Pimp or Die," and wrote music in which he glorified his work as a pimp and the objectification of women.

Members of the public who believe they may be a victim of this crime should contact [email protected].

The charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million dollars. 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.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Barnstable and Boston Police Departments; and the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

Updated September 19, 2024