PLANO, Texas – A Boston, Massachusetts man has been sentenced to federal prison for human trafficking related violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.

Daniel Bennett, 38, pleaded guilty on January 28, 2021 to the transportation of an individual in interstate commerce, knowing they would engage in illegal sex.  Bennett was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.

“We know human trafficking is basically modern-day slavery and the victims often feel they have no way out,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.  “Thanks to the great work of law enforcement, Bennett’s victims can now hopefully build a better, safer life.  As we have stated before, there is no safe harbor in the Eastern District for human traffickers.”

According to information presented in court, on October 27, 2019, Bennett drove two women from Boston, Massachusetts to Texas for the purpose of having the women engage in commercial sex.  The three stayed at hotels in the Eastern District of Texas and the women engaged in illegal sex work around the north Texas metroplex area.  Bennett came to the attention of law enforcement on November 2, 2019, when one of the women approached an officer with the Dallas Police Department seeking assistance.  Bennett admitted to knowing prostitution and commercial sex are illegal in the State of Texas. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bennett with federal violations on November 13, 2019.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Dallas Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller.