Man accused of sex trafficking several victims between Massachusetts, Rhode Island, other states

BOSTON – A Woonsocket, R.I. man has been charged with trafficking victims to engage in prostitution.

Ronald Hall, 48, was indicted on Oct. 28, 2020 on five counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution.

According to the indictment, from at least January 2012 to December 2019, Hall trafficked five victims between Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Las Vegas, Nev., with the intent that each victim would engage in prostitution, and used force and threats of force to coerce them to do so. Hall also transported these women between Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Connecticut with the intent they engage in prostitution.

The charge of sex trafficking provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to a lifetime in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of transportation for purposes of prostitution provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentence are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; David Magdycz Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Evan Gotlob of Lelling’s Civil Rights Enforcement Team is prosecuting the case.