BOSTON — In a significant development in the fight against human trafficking, four individuals have been convicted for their roles in operating a sex trafficking ring in the Boston area, where women from Central and South America were rotated through various brothels.
The Attorney General’s Office announced the convictions on Wednesday, highlighting the legal consequences following a five-week trial in Suffolk Superior Court.
Cristina Lasso, 52, of Saugus, served as the head of this commercial sex operation. Alongside her were Jose Deblas, 38, of Lynn, Marlon Nagano, 43, of East Boston, and Jorge Lasso, 60, of Chelsea.
Between October 2018 and July 2019, the defendants operated four residential brothels located in East Boston, Chelsea, and Lynn. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that women were brought into the brothels weekly to meet the demands of numerous paying customers.
Cristina and Jorge Lasso, along with their accomplices, charged customers for sexual encounters with the women, facilitating the arrangement through various means.
The Attorney General’s Office indicated that Cristina Lasso was pivotal in managing the illicit operations. Her co-defendants played crucial roles in recruiting victims, advertising services, scheduling appointments, and providing transportation for the women involved.
The case against them was built upon substantial evidence which included physical items confiscated from the brothels, pole camera surveillance footage, documentary evidence, recorded interviews, and various digital materials.
Cristina Lasso faced serious charges, ultimately being found guilty of four counts of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, four counts of maintaining a house of prostitution, four counts related to keeping a house of ill fame, and one count of money laundering.
Jose Deblas was convicted of one count of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, two counts of maintaining a house of prostitution, two counts of keeping a house of ill fame, and one count of money laundering.
Marlon Nagano received guilty verdicts for one count of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, one count of maintaining a house of prostitution, two counts of keeping a house of ill fame, and one count of money laundering.
Jorge Lasso was found guilty of one count of trafficking persons for sexual servitude and one count of money laundering.
All four defendants are scheduled to face sentencing in Suffolk Superior Court on May 2.
This news follows the recent sentencing of another individual involved in a high-profile interstate commercial sex ring that operated in greater Boston and Virginia, with reports indicating that it catered to a wealthy and well-connected clientele.
Court hearings have also taken place for several individuals accused of soliciting services from that interstate commercial sex ring, including prominent figures such as Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner and several doctors associated with well-known hospitals.
This story continues to develop, and further updates are expected as additional information becomes available.
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