A Bay Shore man has been indicted for sex trafficking, in which he allegedly used physical force, narcotics, and other means to induce three victims to engage in sexual acts with third parties in exchange for money.
Between August 2019 and December 2023, Freddie 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 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, 34, 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, all Class B felonies
- one count of promoting prostitution in the third degree, a Class D felony
Collins ordered Rice remanded during the pendency of the case.
“Today’s indictment sends a clear message to those who would exploit and manipulate vulnerable individuals,” said District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Sex trafficking is a grave violation of human dignity, and I am committed to its elimination.”
Rice is due back in court on January 27, 2025.