Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on September 9, 2022 GREGORY MASSEY, age 28, and PATRICIA HART, age 24, were charged in an 11-count indictment by a federal grand jury for violations of the Federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, specifically, conspiracy to entice individuals to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution, transportation of an individual in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution, and enticement of an individual to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.

In Count One, MASSEY and HART are charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1594(a) and (c).  If convicted, they each face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

 In Count Two, MASSEY and HART are charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1), 1591(a)(2), and 1591(b)(1).  If convicted they each face a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

In Counts Three through Five, MASSEY and HART are charged with interstate transportation and use of an interstate facility with the intent to carry on unlawful activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1952(a)(3) and 2.  If convicted, per count, they each face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

In Count Six, MASSEY and HART are charged with transportation to engage in prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2421.  If convicted, they each face a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

In Count Seven, HART is charged with possession of documents in furtherance of trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1592.  If convicted, she faces up to five years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

In Count Eight, MASSEY is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of the Armed Career Criminal Act, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e).  If convicted, he faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely charges and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Louisiana State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa E. Bücher of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.