Waltham Man Convicted of Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child

BOSTON – A Waltham man was convicted by a federal jury in Boston of attempted sex trafficking of a child.

Misael Fabian Medina, 38, was convicted of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child; and one count of attempted coercion and enticement. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for June 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Medina was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2022. 

“The human trafficking industry is thriving because it is fueled by the demand from buyers.  Our office has committed substantial resources to prosecuting the individuals who engage in human trafficking and the sex buyers, particularly when it comes to minors.  This defendant showed up at a hotel with $200 in his hand in order to have sex with a 12-year-old girl who had been advertised on the internet.  This law enforcement sting thankfully did not involve a real minor. Yet, the high amount of internet interest generated by this operation clearly demonstrates there is a very disturbing market for the sex trafficking of minors,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “It is our responsibility to send the message that there are severe consequences for engaging in this type of despicable conduct.”

“Medina planned to sexually abuse a 12-year-old girl. He negotiated with a trafficker and arrived at the hotel ready to assault a child. But instead of a trafficker, there was an undercover HSI special agent waiting for him,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “Homeland Security Investigations is absolutely committed to keeping children safe and thanks to the work of our agents and partners, there is one less predator on the streets.”

In November 2022, Misael Medina responded to an online advertisement offering commercial sex with two young girls. Through an ensuing text conversation with federal agents posing as the seller of the two girls, Medina agreed to pay $200 to engage in a sex act with a 12-year-old girl.  Shortly thereafter, Medina went to a greater Boston hotel to meet with the purported seller. Once at the hotel, he met with an undercover agent and confirmed he had the money to pay for the commercial sex act.  During that meeting, Medina was arrested and found to be in possession of a box of condoms.

The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child under fourteen years old carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. The charge of coercion and enticement carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum term of up to life in prison.  Both crimes provide a term of supervised release of at least five years 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 SAC Krol made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian A. Fogerty and Jason A. Casey of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.