Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Sex Trafficking Offense

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MOHAMED H. ABDI, also known as “Vic,” 25, of Worcester, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between late December 2016 and January 5, 2017, ABDI and his girlfriend used threats of force and coercion to cause a female victim to engage in prostitution.  ABDI and his girlfriend advertised the victim’s prostitution services on Backpage.com and other websites, rented Connecticut hotel rooms where the victim engaged in prostitution, and transported the victim to engage in sexual acts with customers at the hotels and private residences in Connecticut and elsewhere.  In addition, ABDI provided the victim with heroin, but withheld the drug from the victim until after she provided sexual services to additional customers.  ABDI and his girlfriend also made threats against the victim and her child if the victim reported them to law enforcement.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for June 27, 2018, at which time ABDI faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
ABDI has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on January 5, 2017.
This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Wethersfield Police Department and the Worcester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Tolland and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office for their cooperation and assistance in the prosecution of this matter.