Contents
Human trafficking charges in Rhode Island
Under Rhode Island criminal law, Human Trafficking may be found under Rhode Island General Laws, Section 11-67.1-3. This offense penalizes the conduct of knowingly recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, receiving, providing, obtaining, isolating, maintaining, or enticing an individual for the purposes of forced labor or sexual servitude.
Human trafficking for forced labor
A person commits the offense for the purposes of forced labor, if the person uses coercion or any type of threat to compel an individual to provide labor or services having economic value.
Human trafficking for sexual servitude
A person commits the offense for the purposes of sexual servitude, if the person compels another to perform any form of sexual intercourse or intimate touching for the purpose of arousal, gratification, or assault. This also includes when the sexual activity is intended to satisfy the desires of others whether through photos, video or live watching. Charges are severe when the individual trafficked is a minor (i.e. under age 18).
Potential punishment if convicted of human trafficking in Rhode Island
Under Rhode Island law, a conviction for Human Trafficking is a felony. Convicted offenders shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 20 years, if the Trafficking involved an adult. However, if the Trafficking involved a minor, that is, a person under age 18, defendant shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 50 years. These penalties may be found at Rhode Island General Laws, Section 11-67.1-3.
Potential punishment if convicted of human trafficking with an aggravated circumstance
If Human Trafficking is committed with an aggravating circumstance, the defendant may receive, on top of the original sentence, up to 5 more years in prison. An aggravating circumstance exists when the defendant recruited, enticed, or obtained the victim from a shelter that provides service to individuals subjected to human trafficking, domestic violence, as well as alleged victims of sexual assault, runaway youths, foster children, or the homeless. This enhanced penalty may be found at Rhode Island General Laws, Section 11-67.1-9.
If you have been charged with Human Trafficking and need experienced defense attorneys call (401) 351-5100 to schedule a free consultation with the Top Rated Rhode Island Kidnapping Attorneys of the Law Office of John L. Calcagni III.
