A Lynn resident, Anthony Coleman, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to sex trafficking two women during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Coleman admitted to financially benefitting from trafficking and coercing both women to travel across state lines for prostitution.
Coleman, 36, entered his plea on two counts of benefitting financially from trafficking and one count of knowingly persuading and coercing a person to travel for prostitution. Sentencing is set for March 11, 2026. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024 and remains in custody.
Prosecutors said that between March and August 2020, Coleman targeted victims who had lost their jobs or homes due to pandemic shutdowns. He moved them into a house in Lawrence, managed online advertisements for commercial sex acts, gave them scripts for negotiating with buyers, transported them to various locations including hotels, and required them to give him all proceeds earned. Authorities also reported that he coerced and forced the victims into sexual acts with him.
In one case starting in March 2020, Coleman recruited a woman who had become unemployed because of the pandemic. She sometimes saw up to 10-16 clients daily with all earnings going to Coleman. He took her multiple times to Florida where she engaged in commercial sex work under his direction. The victim also experienced physical abuse; on one occasion Coleman held her underwater while threatening her life.
Around March and April 2020, he recruited another woman who had been kicked out of her home after disagreements about COVID-19 safety measures. With businesses closed during the pandemic making it difficult for her to find work, she began engaging in commercial sex at Coleman’s direction. In May 2020, he persuaded her to travel to California for commercial sex purposes. When she expressed a desire to leave him, Coleman threatened harm against her family.
The offenses carry potential sentences of up to life imprisonment for benefiting financially from trafficking and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for persuading or coercing someone to travel for prostitution-related activities. Fines can reach $250,000 per count. Sentences will be determined by a federal judge according to statutory guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today.” She added that assistance came from the Massachusetts State Police as well as Revere and Cambridge Police Departments: “Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Revere and Cambridge Police Departments.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings is prosecuting this case.