Malden man gets 15-years for coercing teen into prostitution

A Malden man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison Thursday after being convicted of sex trafficking involving a 15-year-old girl, according to the office of US Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.

In 2012, David Minasian, 25, along with others, took photos of the teenager clad in revealing lingerie and posted the pictures to the adult section of a website that is commonly used as a source of commercial sex activity and “escort services,” Ortiz’s office said.

Respondents to the website ads that Minisian posted were directed to a Massachusetts motel where they paid him and his co-defendant to have sex with the victim, according to Ortiz’s office.

“Seeking out and prosecuting those who exploit children at risk for their own financial gain is an important law enforcement function,” said Frederick Ryan, chief of Arlington Police Department, which assisted in arresting Minasian. “As in this case, we’ll spare no expense at doing so.”

Arlington police detectives worked with officials from the FBI’s Boston Child Exploitation Task Force, which is comprised of members from the FBI, State Police, and Malden and Arlington police, according to the office of the US Attorney.

“These are time consuming and complex investigations,” Ryan said. “The partnerships among law enforcement agencies and agencies that enforce state laws have never been stronger. It takes a team and we are collectively working as a team. We have encountered some success and will continue with our effort.”

While the victim was not at Minasian’s sentencing hearing in US District Court in Boston, her mother addressed the court on her behalf, stating that Minasian had supplied her 15-year-old daughter with heroin, Ortiz’s office said. Once she became addicted, the mother said, Minasian coerced her into prostitution.

The victim is still struggling with her addiction, the mother said.

Minasian’s 15-year sentence includes five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. In addition, he was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution to the victim after pleading guilty to the sex trafficking of a minor in May, Ortiz’s office said. Minasian will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

US District Judge William G. Young, who sentenced Minasian, scolded him at the sentencing for victimizing a vulnerable young girl by fostering a drug addiction and forcing her to turn to prostitution, according to Ortiz's office.