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Manhattan DA accuses man of sexually assaulting, trafficking 16-year-old in 104-count indictment
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 18, 2024
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Spencer Platt/Getty Images
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 18, 2024
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A 31-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting and trafficking a 16-year-old boy for five months in Upper Manhattan, District Attorney Alvin Bragg said on Tuesday.
Matthew Halstead was charged in a 104-count indictment, including on charges of sex trafficking, using a child in a sexual performance, promoting sexual performances by a child, committing criminal sexual acts, possessing child sexual abuse material, obstructing breathing or blood circulation and endangering the welfare of a child, the DA's office said.
According to court records, Halstead was housing the teenager, who had run away from Child Protective Services, in his Washington Heights apartment between March and August.
Prosecutors alleged that Halstead repeatedly sexually assaulted and trafficked the boy during that time, took photos of him engaging in sexual conduct with himself and other men and used that content to solicit men to pay for sexual acts with the child.
“These allegations are horrifying, and I thank my Office’s Human Trafficking Unit and our partners at the NYPD for thoroughly investigating and unraveling this alleged sex trafficking operation,” Bragg said in a statement.
Police first became aware of the situation when responding to what appeared to be a dispute between roommates on Aug. 6, according to the indictment. The NYPD’s Manhattan Special Victims Squad and the DA's Human Trafficking Unit launched an investigation, which remains ongoing, prosecutors said.
Halstead’s attorney could not be reached for comment on Tuesday evening.
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new york city
public safety
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Catalina Gonella
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