Texas Man and Woman Indicted in a Federal Court in Louisiana for Human Trafficking Offenses, Both Face Up to Life in Prison if Convicted

Louisiana – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on September 12, 2022, that on September 9, 2022, Gregory Massey, age 28, and Patricia Hart, age 24, were charged in an 11-count indictment by a federal grand jury for violations of the Federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, specifically, conspiracy to entice individuals to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution, transportation of an individual in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution, and enticement of an individual to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.

Massey and Hart are charged in Count One with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1594(a) and 1594(b) (c). They each face a possible term of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 required special assessment charge if convicted.

Massey and Hart are charged in Count Two with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1), 1591(a)(2), and 1591(b) (1). They each face a minimum of 15 years in jail and a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 required special assessment charge if convicted.

In Counts Three through Five, Massey and Hart are charged with interstate transportation and use of an interstate facility with the intent to carry on unlawful activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1952(a)(3) and 2. If convicted, per count, they each face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

In Count Six, Massey and Hart are charged with transportation to engage in prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2421. If convicted, they each face a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

In Count Seven, Hart is charged with possession of documents in furtherance of trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1592. If convicted, she faces up to five years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

In Count Eight, Massey is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of the Armed Career Criminal Act, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e). If convicted, he faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely charges and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Louisiana State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa E. Bücher of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.