LYNN — A Lynn woman and a Malden man are being held on child sex trafficking charges after an appearance in federal court Friday.
Madonna Say, 23, of Lynn and David Minasian, 24, of Malden, were charged via federal complaint with sex trafficking of a child; and sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.
U.S. Attorney spokesperson Christina DiIorio-Sterling said Friday that a federal judge was taking Say’s detention “under advisement.”
“They want to interview her brother,” said DiIorio-Sterling. “The defense was making an argument that she could stay with him upon release. The judge is going to take whatever recommendation into advisement.”
DiIorio-Sterling said Minasian agreed to be detained pending their next court date, which she said has not been set yet.
According to an affidavit, an investigation revealed that in July 2012, Minasian transported a 15-year-old girl to Florida and caused her to engage in prostitution. After returning to Massachusetts, Say and Minasian photographed the victim wearing revealing lingerie and posing in provocative positions, according to Ortiz’s office. The couple then allegedly posted the photos to the adult section of Backpage.com for soliciting customers for “escort services.”
Customers who responded were directed to where the defendants were staying with the victim in order to have sex for a fee with the victim, prosecutors say. The defendants would take the victim to hotel rooms in which the victim would perform sexual services, Ortiz said in the announcement.
The charge of sex trafficking of a child carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison; followed by five years of supervised release; and a $250,000 fine. The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison; five years of supervised release; and a $250,000 fine.
Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].
