Earlier today, Joshua Lampley-Reid, known as "Tio" and "Fendi," was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sex trafficking of minors. The sentencing took place at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, presided over by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown. Lampley-Reid, a member of the Makk Balla set of the Bloods street gang, pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2022.
Carolyn Pokorny, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence alongside William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, and Errol D. Toulon Jr., Suffolk County Sheriff.
"The defendant is a ruthless predator who exploited vulnerable minors without families or homes and sexually trafficked them for his own financial gain," stated Acting United States Attorney Pokorny. She expressed hope that this significant jail sentence would provide some comfort to the victims.
Special Agent Walker remarked on bringing justice to those victimized by Lampley-Reid: "Our children deserve to be protected from this violence and shielded from the lifelong trauma that accompanies it." He emphasized HSI's commitment to ending child exploitation and sex trafficking.
Suffolk County Sheriff Toulon added that this sentencing sends a clear message about accountability for those preying on vulnerable community members: "The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is committed to continuing to fight human trafficking."
According to court documents, Lampley-Reid began recruiting females for commercial sex acts in December 2019 using social media and internet applications. He manipulated his victims through force and coercion while maintaining control through psychological abuse. Videos recovered from his phone depicted this abuse.
Lampley-Reid used his gang association with Makk Balla set of the Bloods street gang as a means of terrorizing his victims further. His conduct extended beyond Nassau County into other states like Florida, North Carolina, and Maryland.
If you are a victim or have information about sex trafficking, call HSI at 1-866-347-2423 or reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
Assistant United States Attorney Megan E. Farrell is leading the prosecution under E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-319 (S-1) (GRB).