Local News

Waltham man convicted of attempted sex trafficking of a child

Misael Fabian Medina, 38, was arrested as part of a law enforcement sting operation in 2022.

March 13, 2024

1 minute to read

A Waltham man has been convicted of attempted sex trafficking of a child, according to authorities.

Misael Fabian Medina, 38, was also convicted of one count of attempted coercion and enticement, according to the office of acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy. Medina was arrested in 2022 as part of a law enforcement sting, during which, authorities say, he responded to an online ad offering sex with two young girls. In text messages with federal agents posing as the trafficker of the young girls, prosecutors said, Medina agreed to pay $200 to have sex with a 12-year-old girl and, shortly after, went to a hotel in Greater Boston to meet with the “seller.”

At the hotel, he met with an undercover agent, confirming he had money to pay for sex with the 12-year-old he was expecting to find there. He was arrested and found to be in possession of condoms, authorities said.

Three other Massachusetts men were arrested as part of the operation.

In a statement on Wednesday, Levy said the human trafficking industry is “thriving” because of the demand from buyers.

“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,” Levy said. “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. It is our responsibility to send the message that there are severe consequences for engaging in this type of despicable conduct.”

According to Levy’s office, the charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child under 14 provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with up to life in prison, while the charge of coercion and enticement could result in a minimum of 10 years or up to life in prison.

Medina will return to court for sentencing on June 20.