Prosecutors allege Jordende Pierre kidnapped a woman he met on a dating app, held her in an attic in the Boston area for roughly six weeks and forced her into sexual encounters with other men for money. The woman was discovered on Sept. 20 by a landlord investigating a leak and was reunited with family after being taken to safety. A joint investigation involving the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI led to Pierre's arrest; he has pleaded not guilty to charges including kidnapping and human trafficking. Court documents have been impounded and authorities continue to investigate.
Man Arrested After Woman Found Living In Boston-Area Attic; Human Trafficking Charges Filed
Law enforcement arrested 29-year-old Jordende Piere after a woman was found in an attic at this apartment building in Malden, Massachusetts. - WFXT
A 29-year-old man, Jordende Pierre, was arrested in Malden, Massachusetts, after prosecutors say a woman he met through a dating app was found living in an attic in squalid conditions and had been held against her will for about six weeks.
Discovery and Rescue
Authorities say the woman was located on Sept. 20 when the apartment building's landlord went to inspect a reported water leak and discovered her unclothed on a mat near a bucket, according to reports from local CNN affiliates WCVB and WFXT. Malden Police Chief Marc Gatcomb said the woman was taken to safety and reunited with her family.
Allegations and Investigation
Prosecutors allege Pierre met the woman on a dating app, picked her up from a rehabilitation facility, brought her to the apartment, supplied drugs and then forced her to engage in sexual encounters with at least six other men in exchange for money. Court footage aired by WCVB quoted prosecutors saying,
"She clearly had not eaten, she was dirty, she was living essentially in squalor in this attic area."
Investigators say the attic door handle had been removed to prevent the woman from leaving. A human-trafficking probe prompted a joint law enforcement operation that included the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI; those agencies say the operation led to Pierre's arrest at the property days after the woman was found.
Malden Police Chief Marc Gatcomb said the woman was rescued and with family. - WFXT
Charges and Court Proceedings
Pierre has pleaded not guilty to charges that reportedly include kidnapping, human trafficking and indecent assault and battery on a person over 14. Court documents in the case were ordered impounded.
The U.S. Marshals Service for the District of Massachusetts described the allegations as "deeply disturbing" and vowed to work with partners to bring suspects before the court. CNN reported it had reached out to Malden Police, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office for comment.
Landlord and Community Response
Landlord Qing Sun told NBC10 Boston she and her husband discovered the woman while checking a leak and immediately called authorities. "It's a disturbing situation," Sun said. "I'm very happy to be able to help this young girl get back to her family." Local officials and law enforcement emphasized support for the victim and the importance of the ongoing investigation.
Help and Resources: If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking in the U.S., contact the Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "BeFree" (233733).
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