Man accused of human trafficking a woman he forced to rob stores in Massachusetts.

A 26-year-old man accused of forcing a woman into prostitution and helping him rob convenience stores in Massachusetts was charged with federal charges Wednesday, authorities said.

David Walker, 26, is charged with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; one count of coercing a person to travel for the purpose of prostitution; five counts of robbery by obstruction of interstate commerce; and one count of possession, use and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime, the office of Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy said in a statement.

“Mr. Walker's alleged conduct is appalling,” Levy said in a statement. “He is alleged to have callously exploited this young woman – forcing her into a life of fear and violence for his own criminal gain. As alleged, this defendant used extreme violence and intimidation to control his victim, even forcing her to participate in multiple robberies.”

Prosecutors allege Walker met a woman through social media, began a romantic relationship with her, and then pressured her to have paid sex. When she repeatedly refused, the 26-year-old became violent, grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the ground. He allegedly demanded that she earn $800 a day and physically and sexually abused her if she earned less. He allegedly kicked her in the stomach, held a knife to her throat, held a loaded gun to her head, and threatened to kill her and her family members if she disobeyed him.

Not only did Walker allegedly force her to travel to Maine to engage in prostitution, but he also forced her to take drugs so that she would not be able to easily resist his demands.

Prosecutors allege that Walker forced the woman to help him with the robberies when he robbed four different 7-Eleven convenience stores in West Roxbury, Cambridge, Watertown and Pepperell in October 2023.

“The acts of extreme violence Walker is accused of paint a nightmarish picture. This survivor's account is heartbreaking and, unfortunately, something we see all too often from people who are victims of human trafficking. Harmless romantic relationships can quickly be turned upside down and turned into a relationship filled with abuse, violence and coercion,” said Michael Krol, special agent in charge of Homeland Security's New England investigations, in a statement.

Walker is currently in state custody facing similar charges, according to Levy's office, but he is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston. Information on Walker's attorney was not immediately available.