Man accused of trafficking woman, forcing her to rob stores in Mass.

A 26-year-old man accused of forcing a woman into prostitution and to help him rob convenience stores in Massachusetts was indicted on federal charges on Wednesday, authorities announced. 

David Walker, 26, is charged with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; one charge of coercing a person to travel for the purpose of prostitution; five counts of robbery interfering with interstate commerce; and one count of possessing, using, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, the office of acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy said in a statement. 

“Mr. Walker’s alleged conduct is horrifying,” Levy said in a statement. “He is alleged to have callously exploited this young woman– forcing her into a life of fear and violence for his own criminal gain. As alleged, this defendant used extreme violence and intimidation to control his victim, even forcing her to participate in multiple robberies.”

Prosecutors allege that Walker met a woman on social media, began a romantic relationship with her, and then started to pressure her to engage in commercial sex. When she repeatedly refused, authorities say, the 26-year-old became violent, grabbing her around the neck and slamming her to the ground. He allegedly demanded she make $800 a day, physically and sexually abusing her if she made less than that amount. He allegedly kicked her in the stomach, held blades to her throat, placed a loaded gun to her head, and threatened to kill her and her family members if she did not obey him. 

In addition to forcing her to travel to Maine to engage in prostitution, Walker allegedly forced her to use drugs to make her less able to refuse his demands. 

Prosecutors allege that when Walker robbed four separate 7-Eleven convenience stores in in West Roxbury, Cambridge, Watertown, and Pepperell in October 2023, he forced the woman to help him in the robberies. 

“The acts of extreme violence Walker is charged with paint a nightmarish picture. The account from this survivor is heartbreaking and unfortunately, one we see too often from those who are trafficked. Benign romantic relationships can quickly be upended and turned into a relationship of abuse, violence, and coercion,” Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England, said in a statement.

Walker is currently in state custody on related charges, according to Levy’s office, but he is expected to appear in federal court in Boston. Attorney information for Walker was not immediately available.

Dialynn Dwyer

Dialynn Dwyer is a reporter and editor at Boston.com, covering breaking and local news across Boston and New England.

 

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