Man Guilty of Child Sex Trafficking into Elizabeth, NJ

In a federal court in Newark, a Brooklyn man confesses to his role in a grievous child sex trafficking scheme.

NEWARK, NJ — Soauib Butcher, a 30-year-old Brooklyn resident, admitted to participating in a conspiracy to commit child sex trafficking, as announced today by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Butcher's plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz in Newark federal court, where he faces a potential life sentence.

Court documents reveal that in August 2019, Butcher transported the victim by train to New York City, where he coerced the victim into performing oral sex for money on a Brooklyn rooftop. The victim was then taken to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where from August 2019 to January 2020, they were housed in various motel rooms with Butcher and an unnamed conspirator. The conspirator, identified in court, was responsible for posting advertisements of the victim on escort websites and arranging meetings with clients who paid to engage in sexual acts with the minor.

The charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing for Butcher is scheduled for February 19, 2025.

The investigation leading to the guilty plea was conducted by the FBI, under the leadership of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado in Newark. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine M. Romano from the Health Care Fraud Unit and Aaron L. Webman from the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.