BROOKLYN, NY – A 39-year-old man from Crown Heights, Samuel Tucker, was indicted on Monday on charges of sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, assault, and other offenses for allegedly trafficking and assaulting a 19-year-old girl and a 40-year-old woman
. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the indictment, stating, “This defendant’s allegedly violent and exploitative abuse of women for profit shocks the conscience, and we are committed to seeking justice on behalf of the victims and anyone impacted by human trafficking.”
According to the investigation, the 19-year-old victim was homeless and living in a shelter when she was introduced to Tucker, who allegedly enticed her with promises of cash and drugs if she would engage in prostitution for him. Tucker allegedly arranged dates for the victim and posted photos of her on OneBackpage.com. The defendant allegedly instructed her on how much to charge, and all the money she earned was immediately turned over to him.
Tucker is also accused of assaulting the 19-year-old victim with a can of corn placed in a sock and heating a spoon on the stove before holding it to her feet, causing burns. In another instance, Tucker allegedly hogtied and placed the 40-year-old woman in a hotel room bathtub filled with scalding hot water, holding her head beneath the water in the presence of the 19-year-old victim. The defendant also allegedly beat the 40-year-old woman with a firearm.
Facing a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and registration as a sex offender if convicted, Tucker was ordered held on bail of $200,000 cash or $750,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on May 10, 2023.