Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Joshua Lampley-Reid, also known as “Tio” and “Fendi,” and a member of the Makk Balla set of the Bloods street gang, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 23 years in prison for sex trafficking of minors. Lampley-Reid operated as a “pimp,” using violence and the threat of violence to compel the commission of commercial sex acts for his financial benefit, including by minors as young as 15 years old. Lampley-Reid pleaded guilty to the charge in August 2022.
Carolyn Pokorny, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI) and Errol D. Toulon, Jr., Suffolk County Sheriff, announced the sentence.
“The defendant is a ruthless predator who exploited vulnerable minors without families or homes, and sexually trafficked them for his own financial gain,” stated Acting United States Attorney Pokorny. “He is deserving of today’s significant jail sentence for the horrific physical and psychological abuse he inflicted on the victims, which, unfortunately, will continue to affect them for years to come. It is my sincere hope that the justice meted out today will provide some measure of comfort to these young women and help them on their journey to healing.”
“This sentence brings some justice to the minors victimized by this dangerous predator who is now put away from causing any further harm to our community’s most vulnerable members,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Walker. “Our children deserve to be protected from this violence and shielded from the lifelong trauma that accompanies it. HSI works collectively with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to bring an end to child exploitation and sex trafficking. Prosecuting those who seek to exploit children for their own self-gratification or greed is one of our top priorities.”
“The sentencing of this dangerous gang member is a clear message that those who prey on the most vulnerable members of our community will be held accountable,” stated Suffolk County Sheriff Toulon. “The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is committed to continuing to fight human trafficking and working tirelessly with our federal and local partners to ensure that justice is served and that survivors are supported in their journey toward recovery.”
As set forth in the government’s sentencing memorandum and other court documents, in December 2019, Lampley-Reid began recruiting females, including Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, to engage in commercial sex acts for his own financial benefit. The defendant used social media and other internet applications to establish relationships with potential victims and groomed them by conveying a romantic interest in them, manipulating them into performing commercial sex acts and then effectively enslaving them through acts of force and coercion. The defendant directed when, where and with whom the commercial sex acts would be performed. The defendant met resistance to his commands, or failure to pay him, with violence or the threat of violence. To maintain control over his victims, the defendant alternately showed affection and acted violently, not only beating and choking his victims, but also withholding food and other basic necessities. This psychological and emotional abuse was depicted in videos recovered from the defendant’s cellular telephone. He tracked his victims’ phones, threatened their families and stalked them after they left him. The defendant used his association with the Makk Balla set of the Bloods street gang to terrorize them. He also engaged in sexual intercourse with his minor victims, which he often video recorded, and managed his prostitution business over the Internet, posting sexually exploitative photos of minor victims that he took or persuaded them to take of themselves in order to further his trafficking business. Although this conduct was concentrated in Nassau County, the defendant also transported certain victims to other states, including Florida, North Carolina and Maryland.
If you are a victim or have information about sex trafficking, call HSI at 1-866-347-2423. To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). HSI is ready to work with you in your native language, regardless of your immigration status.
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorney Megan E. Farrell is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
JOSHUA LAMPLEY-REID (also known as “Tio” and “Fendi”)
Age: 30
West Hempstead, Long Island
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-319 (S-1) (GRB)