A Crown Heights man faces 25 years behind bars for allegedly sex trafficking a 19-year-old girl, and assaulting another woman.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Monday the indictment against the defendant, Samuel Tucker, on charges of sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, assault, attempted assault, coercion, and criminal possession of a weapon.
The 19-year old was allegedly homeless and residing in a homeless shelter in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Brownsville when she was initially introduced to the defendant.
Tucker then allegedly coerced her to engage in forced prostitution for him on the promise of drugs and cash.
The victim then allegedly moved into the defendant’s Crown Heights apartment where she engaged in prostitution with dates the defendant arranged for her, often using the website OneBackpage.com to advertise prostitution.
On one occasion, the defendant allegedly beat the 19-year old victim with a can of corn placed in a sock, while on another occasion he allegedly burned her with heated spoons.
The defendant also allegedly forced the 19-year old victim to watch as he repeatedly assaulted a 40-year old victim who also engaged in prostitution for the defendant.
The investigation alleges the 19-year old woman watched as the defendant hog-tied the 40-year old victim and dipped her in scalding hot bath water and was forced to watch on another occasion to watch as the defendant beat the other woman with a firearm.
“This defendant’s allegedly violent and exploitative abuse of women for profit shocks the conscience and we are committed to seeking justice on behalf of the victims and anyone impacted by human trafficking,” District Attorney Gonzalez said in a statement April 10. “We have no tolerance for this kind of reprehensible conduct in Brooklyn and will continue our vigorous and multi-pronged efforts to protect the most vulnerable.”
The 19-year old victim managed to escape and report the crimes to the New York City Police Department on Jan. 18 of this year.
The defendant was arraigned on a 27-count indictment, and was ordered to be held on bail of $200,000 cash, or $750,000 bond and ordered to return to court on May 10.
If convicted, the defendant could face a maximum conviction of 25 years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender.
