A Shirley man has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking after exploiting an 18-year-old girl experiencing homelessness. Javesh Persaud, 34, lured the victim with promises of shelter, only to force her into sex acts to repay him, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
Key Takeaways
- Javesh Persaud, 34, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges.
- He exploited an 18-year-old homeless girl by forcing her into sex acts.
- The victim sought help through the Polaris hotline, leading to Persaud’s arrest.
- He faces a potential sentence of 12 years in prison.
The Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals
In July 2023, Persaud met the victim on Omegle, an online chat platform. At the time, she was unhoused and sleeping in subway stations in Manhattan. Persaud presented himself as a helper, offering her clean clothes, food, and a place to stay.
After picking her up, he drove her to a parking lot in Shirley, where he parked next to a broken-down vehicle. Persaud instructed the victim to put her belongings in the car, claiming they would sleep there together. With no support system in Suffolk County, the teenager complied with his demands.
Coercion and Abuse
The following day, Persaud began forcing the victim to engage in sex acts with strangers in exchange for money, which he kept for himself. When she resisted, he responded with violence, slapping her and threatening her with a knife he carried. This intimidation led the victim to continue performing sex acts against her will.
Court documents reveal that Persaud also used physical force, including strangulation, to compel her compliance. The victim endured this abuse until she found the courage to seek help.
The Path to Freedom
On September 1, the victim managed to contact the Polaris National Human Trafficking hotline, which immediately alerted the Suffolk County Police Department. Officers were dispatched to rescue her, and the Human Trafficking Investigations Unit began an investigation alongside the District Attorney’s HEAT Unit.
Persaud was arrested shortly thereafter, and his guilty plea on October 28 marked a significant step in the prosecution of sex trafficking cases in Suffolk County. District Attorney Tierney praised the victim’s bravery and the diligent work of law enforcement in bringing Persaud to justice.
Consequences and Future Steps
Persaud is scheduled to return to court on December 9, where he is expected to receive a sentence of 12 years in prison, followed by 20 years of post-release supervision. His attorney has not yet commented on the case.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Authorities continue to encourage victims to seek help and report suspicious activities to combat this growing problem.
