Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Freddie Rice, 34, of Bay Shore, was indicted for Sex Trafficking for allegedly using physical force, narcotics, and other means to induce three victims to engage in sexual acts with third parties in exchange for money.
“Today’s indictment sends a clear message to those who would exploit and manipulate vulnerable individuals,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Sex trafficking is a grave violation of human dignity, and I am committed to its elimination.”
According to the investigation, between August 2019 and December 2023, Rice allegedly preyed upon the drug addictions of at least three women to control and coerce them to engage in sexual acts with various men for his own profit. Each of the victims was addicted to heroin and/or crack cocaine, which he allegedly provided to them to ensure that they complied with his directives, namely, by responding to buyers of sex and charging specific fees for specific sexual acts. The victims were allegedly required to hand over all the money that they earned to Rice. If they were caught keeping any of the money for themselves, Rice allegedly either used physical force against them or “punished” them by withholding the drugs that they were addicted to, causing the victims to experience intense and dangerous physical withdrawal symptoms.
Additionally, Rice allegedly told the victims that they must engage in the sex acts with buyers to earn money to work off their alleged “debt” to him, despite the fact that he only allegedly provided them with enough drugs to keep them from getting sick. They were never able to pay off any of the supposed debt, no matter how much money they allegedly brought in for him.
On December 19, 2024, Rice was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins for:
- One count of Sex Trafficking (Force), a Class B violent felony;
- Eight counts of Sex Trafficking, Class B felonies; and
- One count of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.
Justice Collins ordered Rice remanded during the pendency of the case. Rice is being represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq. His next court date is January 27, 2025.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Veronica McMahon of the Hate Crimes, Elder Abuse, Anti-Bias, and Human Trafficking Unit (H.E.A.T.). The investigation was conducted by Detective Joseph Collins of the Suffolk County Police Department Human Trafficking Investigations Unit and Special Agent Michael Marotta of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.