Boston police say a predawn operation in Dorchester ended with two neighborhood residents in custody, after investigators allege they uncovered a human-trafficking scheme that forced a homeless woman into commercial sex. The suspects, 37-year-old Keysha Ortiz and 29-year-old Yuberkys Recci, were arraigned Monday and pleaded not guilty to a slate of charges.
Multi-agency raid and weapons seizure
At about 6:01 a.m. on July 13, officers from the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, along with SWAT and the Massachusetts State Police high-risk victim squad, executed search and arrest warrants at a Magnolia Street address. Investigators say they arrested both suspects at the scene, seized a loaded 9mm handgun and roughly 200 rounds of ammunition from the residence, and also secured warrants for the suspects and a motor vehicle, according to the Boston Police Department.
Charges and court schedule
Prosecutors say Recci is charged with kidnapping, trafficking a person for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, possession with intent to distribute Class A and Class B drugs, and witness intimidation. Ortiz faces charges that include being an armed career criminal at level three, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession with intent to distribute Class A and Class B drugs.
Both defendants were ordered held without bail at their arraignment and are scheduled to return to court Thursday for a dangerousness hearing. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges. “This was extraordinary detective work,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin R. Hayden said in a statement, as reported by The Boston Globe.
How investigators say the scheme worked
According to prosecutors, the alleged victim was homeless in Boston when she met a man who promised her a job. Instead, they say, he forced her into commercial sex, moving her among Airbnbs and hotels and keeping the money she earned. That man allegedly introduced her to Recci, who prosecutors say took photos of the woman and posted advertisements for commercial sex on a classified website, as detailed by The Boston Globe.
Local context and tips
The case comes as the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit has ramped up its focus on exploiting networks. Earlier this month, the unit ran an operation that resulted in seven arrests tied to soliciting prostitution, part of what police describe as a broader effort to identify victims and dismantle trafficking operations. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Human Trafficking Unit at (617) 343-6533 or to submit anonymous tips through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting “TIP” to CRIME (27463), per the Boston Police Department.
Investigators say the probe remains active and that additional charges or arrests could follow as detectives pursue leads and review digital evidence. Court proceedings will continue in Dorchester as prosecutors prepare for Thursday’s dangerousness hearing.
