New York Man Found Guilty Of Interstate Transportation For Prostitution And Violation Of A Protective Order

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Edik Asadorian (43, Queens, NY) guilty of interstate transportation for prostitution and interstate violation of a protective order against domestic violence. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 29, 2016.

Asadorian, an Iraninan national, was indicted on May 15, 2015.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on November 13, 2014, Asadorian engaged in domestic violence against a woman in Queens. Evidence showed that he punched and choked the woman, threw her against a wall and onto the floor of an apartment the two shared, causing visible injuries. A New York court issued an order of protection directing Asadorian to stay away from the woman and to have no contact with her whatsoever.

Rather than complying with that order, Asadorian transported the woman to Florida, with the intent that she engage in prostitution. Less than 24 hours after arriving in Jacksonville, an ad for the woman was placed on the Internet site Backpage.com. Asadorian also obtained multiple hotel rooms in the Jacksonville area to be used for the illegal activities. Within hours of placing the ad, the woman began prostituting and scheduling appointments for the following day. Asadorian later transported the woman to a person he and the woman believed was a customer, but turned out to be an undercover detective with the Orange Park Police Department. The detective was participating in a prostitution and anti-human-trafficking sting coordinated by the Clay County Sheriff’s office. When the woman arrived, she had gel, lingerie, and other items Asadorian had provided to her for prostitution.

This case was investigated by the Orange Park Police Department, the New York City Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mac D. Heavener, III.