CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Daniel Rodriguez, 36, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been indicted on federal charges related to the sex trafficking of four women and the attempted trafficking of a fifth, with some of the alleged activity occurring in Maine. The indictment, announced Wednesday by federal prosecutors, includes charges of sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, attempted sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and coercing an individual to travel in interstate commerce for the purpose of prostitution.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Rodriguez allegedly engaged in a trafficking operation spanning from 2017 to January 2026, involving victims in Massachusetts, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Recent Jersey, Connecticut, and Maine. Prosecutors allege that Rodriguez used physical violence, stalking, and fraudulent tactics to control the women he trafficked.
One of the alleged victims, a 27-year-old woman, was reportedly subjected to commercial sex acts across multiple states, including Massachusetts, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maine, beginning in 2025. Prosecutors stated that when this victim attempted to abandon the operation in early January 2026, Rodriguez allegedly posed as a potential client to locate her and compelled her to return to Boston.
The situation escalated on January 13, 2026, when Rodriguez was allegedly transporting the victim between hotels for the purpose of commercial sex. Police attempted to stop Rodriguez for a traffic violation, at which point he allegedly sped away, leading officers on a high-speed chase exceeding 100 mph through Randolph, Massachusetts. Rodriguez reportedly crashed his vehicle and fled on foot, leaving the injured victim behind. Following the crash, Rodriguez allegedly arranged for an accomplice to retrieve the victim from the hospital and subsequently advertised her services for commercial sex within hours of her discharge.
Rodriguez was arrested in Middleboro, Massachusetts, on January 14, 2026, based on a state arrest warrant issued by the Quincy District Court. He remains in state custody pending his arraignment in federal court.
The charges against Rodriguez carry significant potential penalties. Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and attempted sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion each carry a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison, with a possible life sentence, along with at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of sex trafficking of a minor carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison, with a possible life sentence, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of coercing someone to travel for prostitution carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.