Man Accused Of Running Sex Trafficking Operation Out Of Tent

A 35-year-old man in Boston, Massachusetts, has been indicted on multiple charges for allegedly running a drug and sex trafficking operation.

Jonathan Vaughan is accused of sex trafficking women out of a tent at Massachusetts Avenue and Melna Cass Boulevard, the troubled area of Boston known as Mass and Cass.

Vaughan was indicted on three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, two counts of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to a release from the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.

He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston Monday.

Between June 2019 and October 2021, Vaughan allegedly recruited and trafficked three women, whose names were not disclosed, and forced them to work as prostitutes, the attorney's office said.

The suspect is accused of bringing two of the victims over state lines in or about October last year for purposes of prostitution.

Vaughan allegedly had 15 bags of cocaine on him intended for distribution when he was arrested on state charges on Oct. 13, 2021.

“Vaughan is alleged to have used violence, threats and drugs to coerce and control women, profiting financially by forcing them to perform sexual services for a fee and making it extremely difficult to escape,” said Matthew Millhollin, special agent in charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston Field Office.

Vaughan, who allegedly called himself “Ason the Pimp” and had a “Pimp or Die” tattoo across his chest, is accused of using physical and sexual violence against his victims.

Prosecutors said Vaughan allegedly used a tent at Mass and Cass as a hub for distributing drugs and recruiting and trafficking women.

He allegedly systematically preyed on women throughout Massachusetts, particularly in Boston and on Cape Cod, according to prosecutors.

Vaughan would allegedly allow his victims to stay in the tent and bring “dates” back so long as he received payment for the commercial sex acts that the women were involved in.

He is also accused of bringing his victims to hotels in other places, including Chelsea, Saugus and the Cape in Massachusetts as well as Queens and Manhattan in New York.

It is unclear if Vaughan has obtained legal representation.

The investigation into the case is ongoing. Authorities are looking into the possibility that there may be other victims involved.