WASHINGTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
WASHINGTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
According to court documents, in 2021 and 2022, Gregory Massey, 30, and his girlfriend and co-defendant Patricia Hart forced two adult victims to engage in commercial sex in different locations. Massey and Hart advertised the victims for commercial sex on websites, kept the money the victims made from commercial sex transactions, required the victims to meet a minimum dollar threshold from commercial sex every day, and restricted the victims’ access to food. Massey also tracked the geolocation data on the victims’ phones so that they could not leave and used violence to accomplish the scheme.
Massey is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21. If the court accepts the plea, the government and Massey will agree to a sentence of 22 years and six months in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release. He will also agree to pay $128,800 in restitution to the victims. As a result of his plea, Massey must also participate in the sex offender registration and notification program.
Hart also pleaded guilty in November 2023 to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26, 2024
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Louisiana State Police investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Melissa E. Bücher of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.
