A former anesthesiologist at Tufts Medical Center was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to traffic a child for sex. Sadeq Ali Quraishi, 47, was handed down his sentence by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley, which also includes a subsequent five-year term of supervised release. The conviction came in October 2024, when Quraishi was found guilty of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, emphasized the severity of Quraishi's crimes, stating, "Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of Mr. Quraishi’s heinous actions and underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting children from exploitation." The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian A. Fogerty and Lauren A. Graber, reflecting the authorities' resolve to pursue those seeking to harm children.
The investigation leading to Quraishi's arrest began in November 2022. Law enforcement agents conducted an undercover operation, posting online ads offering commercial sex with two minors. Quraishi responded to one such advertisement and agreed to pay $250 to perform a sexual act on a 14-year-old. After withdrawing the agreed sum from an ATM, he drove to a Waltham hotel to complete the transaction but was met by an undercover agent and promptly arrested.
Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England stated, “As a doctor, Quraishi was in a position of public trust. While actively sought out, and agreed to pay to sexually abuse a child, he abused that trust." He confirmed that Quraishi, instead of encountering a vulnerable child, was greeted by an undercover HSI special agent. This operation underscores the continuing plight of the trafficked and the tenacious efforts by HSI to combat such exploitation, as per the U.S. Department of Justice.
For anyone affected by or who suspects commercial sex trafficking, assistance can be sought by contacting [email protected]. The sentencing serves as a stern warning and public acknowledgement of the efforts made to protect youth from such atrocious violations.
