A Worcester couple has been handed down 18-year prison sentences for their roles in sex trafficking a young family member across New England. Kiersten Soto, 32, and her husband Moises Soto, 33, were convicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. The wife was also found guilty of promoting unlawful activities.
According to prosecutors, the couple advertised the victim's services online to sex buyers and trafficked them across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island between February and May 2022. Kiersten Soto allegedly threatened her relative with violence, abandonment, and involuntary commitment if they failed to meet their financial demands, while Moises Soto used physical violence, including beatings and choking.
The couple also recorded the abuse, which prosecutors described as "agonizing" for the victim. The recordings showed them cornering the victim in their home, threatening her, berating her, and calling her a snitch.
As part of their sentencing, Kiersten Soto was ordered to pay $138,000 in restitution to the victim, while Moises Soto was also fined $5,000. The couple will serve 18 years in prison with five years of supervised release.
Their actions have left a young woman's life forever changed, and authorities say they hope this sentence serves as a deterrent to others who would engage in similar crimes.
According to prosecutors, the couple advertised the victim's services online to sex buyers and trafficked them across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island between February and May 2022. Kiersten Soto allegedly threatened her relative with violence, abandonment, and involuntary commitment if they failed to meet their financial demands, while Moises Soto used physical violence, including beatings and choking.
The couple also recorded the abuse, which prosecutors described as "agonizing" for the victim. The recordings showed them cornering the victim in their home, threatening her, berating her, and calling her a snitch.
As part of their sentencing, Kiersten Soto was ordered to pay $138,000 in restitution to the victim, while Moises Soto was also fined $5,000. The couple will serve 18 years in prison with five years of supervised release.
Their actions have left a young woman's life forever changed, and authorities say they hope this sentence serves as a deterrent to others who would engage in similar crimes.
, 18 years is a long time... Interesting 
how some people can be so cruel and manipulative, I mean what kind of love turns into exploitation like that? 
The fact that they recorded the abuse is just heartbreaking 
and I'm glad justice was served in this case 
. But it's crazy to think about how many more cases go unsolved or are never reported... 5 years of supervised release seems like a drop in the bucket though, feels like more punishment than needed 
.
This is so messed up 
The pics & vids they recorded of the abuse are super disturbing 
She's had to live with the trauma for 2+ yrs 
And now she has to deal w/ the financial burden too 
$138k is a lot of money 
Some ppl think it should be life 
But at least the Sotos are held accountable for their actions 
And maybe this will stop others from doing the same 
Its not easy to see but justice has been served 
just heard about this shocking case and it's absolutely devastating the amount of pain these two people caused that poor girl... 18 years is way too long for anyone to suffer like that, it's heartbreaking to think she'll be paying off her own trauma for years to come
This is soooo sad 
! 18 years is way too long 
. And Moises Soto's tiny fine of $5,000? 
come on! It's gotta be a joke, right? The whole situation is just so messed up 
... and I'm glad the court saw that the couple's actions were agonizing & unbearable 
!
. Can you believe that? The thought of those recordings they made is just heartbreaking, showing them cornering and berating this young woman like she was nothing more than a product to be sold online. It's sickening how far human depravity can go, even when it comes from people who are supposed to love and care for each other. The fact that Kiersten got fined $5,000 but has to pay way more in restitution to the victim is just wrong 
. Like, who tries to sell their own family member into sex trafficking? 
. I mean, I guess 18 years is better than nothing, but seriously, can't we do better than this? 