Massachusetts man convicted of attempted sex trafficking of 12-year-old child

BOSTON (WWLP) – A Waltham man has been convicted of attempted sex trafficking of a 12-year-old child.

According to the Department of Justice, a 38-year-old man Misaël Fabian Medina was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will be subject to deportation proceedings to Guatemala once his sentence is served. Last March, he was convicted by a federal jury of one count of attempted child sex trafficking, as well as one count of attempted coercion and enticement.

In November 2022, Medina responded to an online advertisement offering commercial sex with two young girls. In a text message conversation with federal agents posing as the seller, Medina agreed to pay $200 for a sex act with a 12-year-old girl. Medina met the alleged salesman at a Greater Boston hotel shortly afterward. At the hotel, he met with an undercover agent and confirmed he had the money. A box of condoms was found in Medina's possession during this meeting and he was arrested.

“Children are too often sold for sexual purposes in our society. Our office has prosecuted several individuals who trafficked minors, often very vulnerable girls. This lawsuit is clearly aimed at meeting the demand that fuels this despicable practice of selling sex to children. Medina showed up at a hotel with $200 in hand to have sex with a 12-year-old girl. This sting operation should send a message to anyone using a smartphone to troll for sex with minors that the federal government is aggressively enforcing laws against this reprehensible conduct,” said Acting U.S. Attorney United States, Joshua S. Levy.

“Misael Fabian Medina was willing to pay to sexually abuse a 12-year-old child before being arrested by HSI special agents. Today’s sentence will keep him off the streets and away from the children he could harm,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “Sex trafficking is demand-driven and we work every day with our partners to investigate and bring predators like Medina to justice. »