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New York man arrested, charged with human trafficking following investigation in Brighton
Police said detectives launched an investigation focused on 55 Brighton Ave. after receiving information about suspected commercial sex activity at the building.
A New York man is facing charges related to human trafficking and prostitution following an investigation in Brighton, authorities said Wednesday.
Xiaofeng Wang, 26, of Oakland Gardens, New York, was arrested Tuesday and charged with human trafficking and deriving support from prostitution, Boston police said in a statement. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him during his arraignment Wednesday in Brighton District Court, according to court filings.
Police said detectives launched an investigation focused on 55 Brighton Ave. on Tuesday after receiving information about suspected commercial sex activity at the building.
“Their investigation revealed that advertisements for sexual services had been posted on an online platform, where ‘dates’ were arranged through a listed phone number,” police said.
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Detectives posed as buyers through the advertised phone number and negotiated an agreement for sexual services, police said. Undercover detectives then allegedly followed instructions to arrive at a designated location, where police said they made contact with Wang.
Wang allegedly brought the undercover detective across the street and into the lobby of 55 Brighton Ave.
There, police said officers intervened and detained Wang as a search of the area was conducted. He was later arrested.
“Officers identified two apartments within 55 Brighton Avenue that were being used for prostitution,” police said. “Inside the first apartment, they discovered one female, while the second apartment contained two females. Both locations contained evidence consistent with commercial sex trafficking and detectives seized approximately $7,021.00 dollars in U.S. currency.”
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Wang’s bail was set on Wednesday at $50,000, and he was ordered to stay away from 55 Brighton Ave., airports and bus terminals, and women with any relationship to the building where he was arrested. Attorney information for the 26-year-old was not immediately available.
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