Boston Man Pleads Guilty To Transporting Girl For Prostitution

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Boston to transporting a minor for prostitution, according to United States Attorney Andrew Lelling's office.

Corey Smith, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Senior Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to one count of transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution and two counts of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution. According to the terms of a plea agreement, the parties recommend a sentence of about 12 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Judge O’Toole deferred acceptance of the plea and scheduled sentencing for Oct. 24.

Smith was indicted back in 2017 on one count of transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution, one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in prostitution.

Between January 2015 and March 2015, Smith transported a girl under the age of 18 between Massachusetts, Georgia and Connecticut, with the intent that she would engage in prostitution. Between November 2014 to June 2015, Smith transported another woman between Massachusetts, Georgia, and Connecticut with the intent that she would engage in prostitution, and used force and threats to coerce her to do so. Smith transported a third woman between Massachusetts and Connecticut with the intent that she would engage in prostitution between January and February 2015.

The charge of transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 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 no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

In 2013, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children documented over 10,000 reports of child sex trafficking. They say that this only represents a "tiny percentage" of the actual child sex trafficking.

The state has a list of signs of possible child exploitation and a local organization has a more in depth list.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).