Lowell Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Human Trafficking
LOWELL— Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informs the public today that a Lowell man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for charges under the state’s human trafficking law.
William Miller, 46, of Lowell, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court in Lowell to charges of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, deriving support from earnings of a prostitute, assault and battery (five counts), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (two counts), threatening to commit a crime (two counts), and possession of a Class B drug. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Heidi Brieger sentenced the defendant to seven years to seven years and one day in state prison for the human trafficking charge and five years to five years and one day in state prison for the deriving support from prostitution charge, to run concurrent. On the remaining counts, the defendant was sentenced to five years probation from and after his prison sentence with the following conditions: stay away from and have no contact with the victim; undergo a substance abuse evaluation, treatment and screenings per the Probation Department; and undergo individualized counseling per the Probation Department.
“This defendant abused, threatened and sexually exploited his victim, forcing her to work as prostitute,” District Attorney Ryan said. “This case highlights the frightening tactics these abusers employ to harm their victims. Human trafficking is estimated to be a $32 billion industry which relies on exploitation for economic profit. Each year, nearly 30 million people are trafficked worldwide and 15 thousand to 18 thousand are estimated to be trafficked in the U.S. alone. The Commonwealth’s new human trafficking legislation has given us more effective tools to target prostitution and forced labor, ensuring that we have more resources to better aid the victims of this devastating crime. I am committed to eradicating the commercial sex industry in this county and to working to educate young people, especially, that being forced into this life is a crime and there is help for them.”
This case was the first in Middlesex County to be charged under the Commonwealth’s human trafficking law, which went into effect February 19, 2012. The law provides new tools to target prostitution and forced labor, increases penalties for those who force victims into prostitution, and creates mandatory minimum sentences for human trafficking.
According to authorities, starting in January 2010 and through July 2012, the defendant made the female victim work for him as a prostitute in the Lowell area. The victim was ordered to give all her money to the defendant. The defendant abused the victim, threatened her, and used intimidation and guilt to keep her in the relationship and working for him.
The abuse against the victim by the defendant escalated throughout June and July of 2012, the victim was punched in the face multiple times, dragged by her hair, and hit in the back and ribs during a series of violent attacks, according to officials.
On July 5, 2012, Lowell police responded to the area of Branch Street after the victim fled their apartment and the defendant was seen chasing her down the street. Miller was arrested by police. Miller was indicted August 22, 2012 by a Middlesex Grand Jury.
The case was investigated by the Lowell Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katherine Hartigan. The Victim Witness Advocate was Kristen Chamberlain.