Boston Man Who Trafficked a Minor Victim in Three States Pleads Guilty

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to transporting a minor to New York and Connecticut to engage in commercial sex.

Leon Blount III, 31, pleaded guilty to three counts of transportation of minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2024. Blount was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023. He has been in custody since September 2022. 

“Human trafficking is not just a crime; it is a profound violation of human dignity. The unimaginable harm inflicted upon victims is happening too frequently in our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our dedicated Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit remains committed to bringing traffickers to justice, providing unwavering support to survivors, and relentlessly pursuing those who exploit the most vulnerable.” 

“Blount admitted today that he sought out and took advantage of a vulnerable young woman and limited her freedom. This is a pattern we see again and again with human traffickers. Today’s plea brings us another step closer to justice for those he victimized,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.”

Between July and August 2022, Blount transported a 17-year-old victim, Jane Doe 2, from Massachusetts to New York and Connecticut to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit. Blount met Jane Doe 2 while she was living at a Massachusetts group home for transitional age adolescents. He gave her alcohol and marijuana and recruited Jane Doe 2 to travel out-of-state to engage in commercial sex. While in New York, Blount directed Jane Doe 2 to solicit sex buyers in an area of Brooklyn that is known for commercial sex. Throughout this period, Blount stayed in close contact with Jane Doe 2, using text messages to ensure that she continued to perform sex acts when he was not physically present. To attract more sex buyers, Blount caused Jane Doe 2’s photo to be posted on websites that advertises commercial sex. He then put Jane Doe 2 in hotel rooms in Woburn, Mass. and Hartford, Conn. where he directed her to perform sex acts with buyers to earn more money.

The charge of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit is prosecuting the case.