Tewksbury Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking

BOSTON – A Tewksbury man was sentenced yesterday for sex trafficking and the interstate transportation of seven separate victims for the purposes of prostitution.

Jermall Anderson, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In November 2024, Anderson pleaded guilty to seven counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, one count of coercion and enticement, and one count of interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution.  Anderson was indicted in August 2023, along with two co-conspirators.

“Jermall Anderson preyed on vulnerable women, targeting and sexually exploiting homeless and drug addicted women for his own benefit. He controlled his victims with fear, violence and drugs all so that he could profit off of them,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley “The U.S. Attorney’s office will continue to fight for sex trafficking victims and hold accountable those who victimize them. I applaud the brave victims who stood up against Jermall Anderson. In doing so, they took back control of their lives and assured that a violent and depraved predator is no longer a threat to the community.”

“Anderson and his co-conspirators weaponized addiction to control women and force them into sex trafficking. Through violence, threats, and addiction, he trafficked women through several states for his financial benefit. After today’s sentence, he is facing the consequences of his cruelty and greed – serious federal prison time,” said Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “With the final resolution of this case, those that Anderson victimized can now move forward with renewed dignity and independence.”

From 2012 through 2016, Anderson, along with his co-conspirators, used physical violence, threats and the giving and withholding of heroin and cocaine to force seven different victims to prostitute on their behalf. Anderson and his co-conspirators targeted vulnerable victims, specifically those struggling from drug addiction, homelessness and lack of economic resources. Anderson recruited women struggling with drug addiction directly from detox and drug rehabilitation facilities and forced and coerced them into providing commercial sex for his financial benefit. The defendant trafficked these victims throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.  

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

U.S. Attorney Foley and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the HSI Office in New Haven, Conn., the Lynn and Tewksbury Police Departments (Mass.) and the Hampden (Conn.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.