John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of
Connecticut, announced that MOHAMED H. ABDI, also known as “Vic,” 25, of
Worcester, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet
Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking
by force, fraud or coercion.
According to court documents and statements made in court,
between late December 2016 and January 5, 2017, ABDI and his girlfriend used
threats of force and coercion to cause a female victim to engage in
prostitution. ABDI and his girlfriend
advertised the victim’s prostitution services on Backpage.com and other
websites, rented Connecticut hotel rooms where the victim engaged in
prostitution, and transported the victim to engage in sexual acts with
customers at the hotels and private residences in Connecticut and
elsewhere. In addition, ABDI provided
the victim with heroin, but withheld the drug from the victim until after she
provided sexual services to additional customers. ABDI and his girlfriend also made threats
against the victim and her child if the victim reported them to law
enforcement.
Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for June 27, 2018, at
which time ABDI faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
ABDI has been detained since his arrest on related state
charges on January 5, 2017.
This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Human
Trafficking Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State
Police, with the assistance of the Wethersfield Police Department and the
Worcester Police Department. The case is
being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.
U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the State’s Attorney for the
Judicial District of Tolland and the Worcester County District Attorney’s
Office for their cooperation and assistance in the prosecution of this matter.
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