Peabody Police Assist Federal Investigation Into Sex Ring

PEABODY, MA — Peabody police are being credited for their role in a multi-agency investigation that led to federal charges against a New Jersey man.

Jose Torres, 42, was arrested Feb. 14 in Boston and pleaded not guilty on Feb. 18 to two counts of coercion and enticement. According to court documents, Torres coerced sex workers from other states and Canada to work in New Jersey between 2015 and last year with the promise of lucrative payments.

Torres, however, never paid the women and assaulted and, in some cases, raped the sex workers when they asked to be paid. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000