Boston man pleads guilty to sex trafficking and drug trafficking at Mass + Cass

The defendant maintained a tent at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, which he used as a transit point for trafficking women for the purposes of commercial prostitution and drug distribution.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking and cocaine possession charges for his involvement in a drug and sex trafficking operation that operated out of a tent at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard (Massachusetts and Cass) in Boston. The defendant preyed on women primarily in the Boston and Cape Cod area, some of whom he transported from Massachusetts to other states, including New York, for commercial sex.

Jonathan Vaughan, aka “Ason,” 37, pleaded guilty to three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, two counts of transporting a person for the purpose of prostitution, and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to resell. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2024. In March 2022, Vaughan was indicted by a federal grand jury. According to a plea agreement filed with the court, the parties agreed to a sentence of 180 months in prison if the court accepts the agreed-upon settlement at the time of sentencing.

“Jonathan Vaughan preyed on his victims simply because of their vulnerability. He used their circumstances against them and for his own benefit,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Sex trafficking cases have increased and, in many cases, are occurring openly. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to locate individuals like Vaughan and hold them accountable for their actions.”

“Vaughan targeted individuals struggling with substance abuse issues and exploited their vulnerability against them to exert control and force them into violent and dangerous situations. We hope this guilty plea and the knowledge that Vaughan faces a lengthy prison sentence brings some peace to the victims,” ​​said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “This case is the result of close collaboration between our partner agencies, particularly the Boston Police Department, the Suffolk District Attorney's Office and the Barnstable Police Department.”

From at least June 2019 through October 2021, Vaughan recruited and trafficked three female victims for commercial sex acts, and in or about October 2021, transported two of the victims to another state for the purpose of prostitution. At the time of his arrest on state charges on October 13, 2021, Vaughan possessed 15 bags of cocaine intended for distribution to drug users.

Since at least 2019, Vaughan has systematically harassed women throughout Massachusetts, particularly in Boston and on Cape Cod. From at least late spring or early summer of 2021 until his arrest on state charges, Vaughan maintained a tent at the corner of Mass and Cass, which he used as a hub for drug distribution and the recruitment and trafficking of women.

Vaughan allowed his victims to stay in his tent and bring “dates” with him as long as he received the proceeds from the commercial sex acts the women performed at his direction. He recruited victims in and around Mass and Cass and Downtown Crossing, as well as online, including through Facebook. Vaughan also brought his victims to hotels in Boston, Chelsea, Saugus, Cape Cod, and Queens and Manhattan, NY.

Vaughan forced at least two of his victims to engage in outdoor sex by “walking the runway” in areas such as Mass and Cass, Broadway in Chelsea, and in and around Times Square in Manhattan, NY. Since at least 2019, Vaughan has used both physical and sexual violence against his victims to manipulate them and exert power and control over them.

According to court documents, Vaughan called himself “Ason the Pimp,” had a tattoo on his chest that read “Pimp or Die,” and wrote music glorifying his work as a pimp and the objectification of women.

Citizens who believe they are victims of this crime should contact [email protected].

The charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion carry a minimum sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment, five years probation, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of transportation of a person for the purpose of prostitution carry a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, up to three years probation, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute carry a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, three years to life probation, and a fine of up to $1 million. The sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes governing sentencing in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, the Barnstable and Boston Police Departments, and the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.