A husband and wife from Worcester, Massachusetts, were convicted on September 22, 2025, of sex trafficking following a six-day jury trial. Kiersten Soto, 32, and Moises Soto, 33, were each found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, both counts relating to the trafficking of a younger relative. Additionally, Kiersten Soto was convicted of one count of traveling or using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activities. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman has scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2025. The defendants were arrested and indicted in December 2022.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that from February through May 2022, the Sotos used force, fraud, and coercion to traffic the victim for commercial sex across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. A website was utilized to advertise the victim to sex buyers throughout New England. Testimony revealed that Kiersten Soto regularly threatened the victim with violence, abandonment, and involuntary commitment to a facility. Moises Soto reportedly employed extreme physical violence, including beatings and choking, if the victim failed to generate sufficient income. Videos from the defendants’ cell phones depicted them cornering the victim in their home, threatening her, and berating her while she experienced severe drug withdrawals.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley stated, “Kiersten and Moises Soto built their so-called livelihood off of brutality and control. The Sotos compounded their cruelty by recording the abuse – immortalizing the victim’s trauma for their own depraved purposes (…) [This] convictions send the unmistakable message that this office will relentlessly pursue those who traffic in human suffering, and we will not stop until they are exposed, prosecuted, and brought to justice.”
The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion carries a potential sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison, along with at least five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution to the victim. The conspiracy charge also provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, with similar conditions regarding supervised release and fines. The charge of traveling or using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activities, specifically prostitution, can result in a sentence of up to five years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
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