State’s first convicted human trafficker to serve 10 years in prison
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Andrew Fakhoury (DOB: 8/7/87), formerly of Yonkers, New York, plead nolo contendere before Superior Court Magistrate William J. McAtee to three counts of human trafficking, three counts of pandering, and two counts of conspiracy to commit human trafficking. Fakhoury was sentenced to 20 years with 10 years to serve and 10 years suspended with probation. The case marked the first time the state charged an individual with human trafficking since the statute was enacted in 2008 and amended in 2010.
The prostitution ring originated in Yonkers, NY, where Fakhoury targeted young, vulnerable women. Fakhoury manipulated and intimidated these young women using psychological and physical abuse to force them into performing sexual acts for money. The women were posted on Craig’s List and other websites that are known for adult content and prostitution.
Fakhoury moved his prostitution operation to Rhode Island in October 2008 due to the state’s well known legal loopholes allowing indoor prostitution. Fakhoury, the mastermind of the operation, and his co-defendant Joseph Defeis rented an apartment in North Providence with two of the victims. They later moved to an apartment in the Elmhurst section of Providence with one of women.
The investigation began when the Providence Police Department received information from the Yonkers Police Department about a young woman who was being forced to prostitute herself on the internet. The Providence Police, working with Yonkers Police, set up a sting operation by contacting the young woman to solicit her services. Providence Police were able to identify the young woman and facilitated her safe return to her family.
“This case dispels the myth that human trafficking is limited to immigrants being brought to this country and sold into servitude. Human trafficking happens every day in our communities across America to young people, particularly young women, who are lured from their normal lives and made into sex slaves by predators. Human trafficking strips victims of their freedom and dignity,” said Attorney General.
Assistant Attorney General Bethany Macktaz and Special Assistant Attorney General Sarah Tindall-Woodman handled the case for the Office of Attorney General. Sergeant Patrick McNulty and Detective Peter Conley led the investigation for the Providence Police Department.
“Despite all the advantages he was given growing up in this country, Mr. Fakhoury wanted to live life like the characters he emulated in the rap videos he made. He is a manipulative, violent, dangerous predator who has little regard for basic human rights,” continued the Attorney General.