Massachusetts Teen Charged in Sex Trafficking Scheme
A 19-year-old from Ludlow, Massachusetts, Darren Zaldivar, is facing serious charges related to the sex trafficking of minors in collaboration with a 44-year-old man from Maryland, David Kaufman. Zaldivar has been indicted on three counts of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors and two counts of transportation with intent for commercial sex acts. His arrest followed Kaufman’s, who was charged with persuading minors to engage in prostitution.
Court documents reveal that at least five teenagers, aged 14-17 from Massachusetts and Connecticut, were involved. Kaufman allegedly coerced these minors through Snapchat, exchanging money for child sexual abuse material and enticing them to travel to his Baltimore penthouse for sexual encounters, which he recorded. Financial records indicate Kaufman transferred over $80,000 to account holders linked to the minors, alongside numerous gifts.
The manipulative tactics employed by Kaufman included financial incentives, emotional manipulation, and implied threats, suggesting that the interactions were not consensual. A jury trial for Kaufman is set for July 7, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations against both him and Zaldivar.
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