Woman allegedly operated Revere spa as front for human trafficking
“The AG’s Office alleges that (Geralda De Matos) Garland knowingly facilitated commercial sexual activity by recruiting victims and offering sexual activity between victims and buyers in exchange for a fee."
A woman is facing multiple charges after she allegedly ran a day spa in Revere “as a front for human trafficking,” according to state Attorney General Maura Healey’s office.Geralda De Matos Garland, 57, of Revere, was arrested Friday on charges of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, money laundering, and conspiracy, Healey’s office said in a press release.Garland was arraigned in Chelsea District Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty. Her bail was set at $50,000 cash, and her conditions for release included GPS monitoring, surrendering her passport, not leaving the state, and having no contact with the victims. She is scheduled to return to court on May 11 for a probable cause hearing, the release said.Via investigation, authorities believe Garland operated Crystal’s Day Spa as “a profitable and organized criminal enterprise,” according to the release.“The AG’s Office alleges that Garland knowingly facilitated commercial sexual activity by recruiting victims and offering sexual activity between victims and buyers in exchange for a fee,” the release said. “The AG’s Office alleges that Garland also posted online advertisements offering commercial sex, arranged commercial sex appointments with sex buyers, collected money from sex buyers, and profited from this commercial sexual activity.”
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