In the suburbs of Peabody, Massachusetts, a female owner of a half-million-dollar home was charged with human trafficking for sexual servitude and two counts of drug possession. News accounts report that Dawn Spurr, who is listed as the current owner of the property, was also charged with being the keeper of a noisy and disorderly household. Spurr was set to be arraigned on December 7, 2015.
Additionally, charges filed relating to the alleged brothel named five other people, including Nicole Marcellino of Medford, who was arrested on charges of prostitution and drugs. Three others were charged with being present where heroin is kept. One other person was charged with drug possession and being present where heroin is kept. Authorities announced the arrests were the culmination of a three-months long investigation by police. In a statement released earlier today, police said that besides prostitution, the home is suspected of being "heavily involved" with cocaine and heroin. A search warrant was issued and the Peabody police entered the home on December 6, along with the FBI and Salem police.
Peabody Police Chief Thomas M. Griffin expressed his gratitude to the community for reaching out to the police department to rid itself of the alleged crimes. He said, "This is proof that we have zero tolerance for any disruptive activities within our residential and business areas."
According to Massachusetts law, MGL c 265, Section 50: "(a) Whoever knowingly: (i) subjects, or attempts to subject, or recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains by any means, or attempts to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide or obtain by any means, another person to engage in commercial sexual activity, a sexually-explicit performance or the production of unlawful pornography in violation of chapter 272, or causes a person to engage in commercial sexual activity, a sexually-explicit performance or the production of unlawful pornography in violation of said chapter 272; or (ii) benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, as a result of a violation of clause (i), shall be guilty of the crime of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude..." In Massachusetts, human trafficking carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five (5) years , and is punishable with up to twenty (20) years in state prison and by a fine of up to $25,000.
Human trafficking is considered a very serious sex crime in Massachusetts. Anyone accused of such a crime not only faces years in prison, by may also be charged (as is frequently the case) with related money laundering offenses , which also carry stiff (although non-mandatory) prison sentences, as well as possible forfeiture of ill-gotten gains . Persons convicted of human trafficking are also required to register for up to twenty (20) years as sex offenders, if not longer, with the Massachusetts SORB and, if found eligible for pre-trial release, are often subject to GPS monitoring.
Accordingly, it is best for anyone accused of so serious a crime not only to know her or his related constitutional rights, but to find a lawyer experienced enough, and best equipped, to aggressively fight for ( and win) his or her freedom. Brad Bailey is a Boston-based state and federal criminal defense lawyer who has over 30 years of legal experience as both a former state and federal prosecutor and a long-time defense attorney. He is highly experienced in, and extremely knowledgeable about, defending human trafficking and drug possession case in both state and federal court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please do not hesitate to contact Brad Bailey, human trafficking defense lawyer, today for a free and confidential phone consultation.