A husband and wife from Worcester, Massachusetts, were convicted on September 22, 2025, of sex trafficking charges after a six-day jury trial in Boston. Kiersten Soto, 32, and Moises Soto, 33, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Both charges are related to the trafficking of a younger relative within their family. Additionally, Kiersten Soto was convicted of traveling or using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activities.
U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman has scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2025. The Sotos were arrested and indicted in December 2022.
During the trial, evidence showed that between February and May 2022 the couple used force, threats, and coercion to traffic the victim for commercial sex across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. They advertised the victim online throughout New England. Testimony revealed that Kiersten Soto threatened the victim with violence and abandonment while Moises Soto used physical violence including beatings with wooden dowel rods and choking if financial demands were not met. Videos from their cell phones documented them threatening and berating the victim during drug withdrawals.
“Kiersten and Moises Soto built their so-called livelihood off of brutality and control. The Sotos compounded their cruelty by recording the abuse – immortalizing the victim’s trauma for their own depraved purposes,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s convictions send the unmistakable message that this office will relentlessly pursue those who traffic in human suffering, and we will not stop until they are exposed, prosecuted, and brought to justice.”
“HSI has no tolerance for those who exploit and traffic vulnerable individuals,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “With these two traffickers brought to justice, a victim is now free from exploitation and on the path to healing. HSI is grateful for the partnership and support of our local and state partners from the Marlborough Police Department, the Worcester Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police.”
The charge of sex trafficking by force carries a minimum sentence of 15 years up to life imprisonment as well as supervised release terms ranging from five years up to life; fines can reach $250,000 along with mandatory restitution for victims. Conspiracy charges carry similar penalties including possible life sentences; using interstate facilities to promote prostitution can result in up to five years’ imprisonment.
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Foley alongside HSI SAC Krol with assistance from state police agencies as well as local police departments in Marlborough and Worcester. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen W. Hassink and Torey B. Cummings are prosecuting.
