Medford woman accused of sex trafficking women from overseas for prostitution
Suffolk County police said the department's Human Trafficking Unit worked alongside the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force on the yearlong investigation.
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Women from overseas were being brought into Suffolk County for sex work, according to investigators who arrested a Medford woman allegedly at the center of the scheme.
Suffolk County police said Kristie Mace, 28, used multiple social media platforms to recruit women from outside the United States to travel to Suffolk County on tourist visas for the purposes of prostitution.
Investigators said Mace enlisted at least two women from Spain, but detectives believe there are more victims and other suspects involved.
Detectives said Mace continued to use social media to promote the victims' sex work while also helping them travel to and from hotels to see clients in Farmingville, Medford, Islandia and other locations in the county.
"It is happening right here on Long Island. And if you do see it, say something because you could give them information that could potentially save somebody's life," Crime Victims Center executive director Laura Ahern said about human trafficking on Long Island.
Suffolk County Police Human Trafficking Investigations Unit worked alongside the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Police officials said they seized Mace's car and phone as part of the yearlong probe, which began last June.
Police charged Mace with third-degree promoting prostitution. No arraignment date has been set yet.
Detectives are seeking anyone with additional information to contact the Suffolk County Police Human Trafficking Investigations Unit at 631-854-7512.
