New York Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking a Minor and Forced Labor

BOSTON – A New York City man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for brutally sex trafficking a minor. Defendant trafficked the minor victim nearly every single day and forced her to work at a strip club. 

Sherriff Cooper, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 18 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Cooper was also ordered to pay $97, 200 in restitution to the minor victim. In February 2024, Cooper was convicted by a federal jury of sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud and coercion; transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; and forced labor. 

“Sherriff Cooper viciously and cruelly exploited a vulnerable minor who was half his age – taking advantage of his position of trust to abuse her into submission. When he lost his job, Mr. Cooper decided he would rather sex traffic a vulnerable child for financial gain than seek legitimate employment – all the while physically abusing and threatening her. Her bravery and courage in holding this defendant accountable is truly remarkable. Mr. Cooper’s refusal to accept any responsibility for his crimes or show remorse for the lifelong harm he inflicted underscores why he is truly deserving of this significant sentence,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

“Our thoughts today are with the victim in this case who suffered horrific abuse and courageously came forward and told investigators and the jury what Sherriff Cooper did to her. As a result, Sherriff Cooper was sent to prison for 18 years. No child should ever be subjected to sex trafficking, especially by someone in a position of trust,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s sentence removes a dangerous threat from our community, and sends a clear message that human trafficking will not be tolerated.”

In 2017, Cooper was working as a security guard at a residential program for pregnant teens when he met the victim – a then 15-year-old pregnant minor who had run away from Massachusetts Department of Children and Families’ custody. Cooper began a sexual relationship with the victim and, after losing his job in early 2018, began sex trafficking her around Boston, posting advertisements for her on commercial sex websites and taking all the proceeds. He used violence, threats of violence and coercion to make the victim engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit, trafficking the minor victim every single day except for when she was menstruating and on her birthday.

Cooper transported the victim across state lines to sex traffic her in New York. While in New York, Cooper obtained a fake ID for the minor victim and forced her to strip at a club – keeping all the proceeds for himself. Cooper continued to use threats of violence, violence and coercion to keep the victim working at the club for his financial benefit. Cooper’s violence against the victim increased when she could not strip as often because he impregnated her.  

If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and SAC Cohen made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the FBI New York Field Division and the Arlington and Malden Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Torey B. Cummings, Stephen W. Hassink and Lauren A. Graber of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.