The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled that responding to online prostitution advertisements does not equate to human trafficking. This decision followed a sting operation by State Police, where undercover officers posted ads offering sexual services. The court concluded that because the 'sex worker' was an officer, the defendants did not attempt to engage in trafficking another individual. The ruling upheld earlier court decisions to dismiss trafficking charges against five men arrested in the sting, despite varying reasons among the courts.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that responding to online prostitution ads does not constitute human trafficking, affirming a lower court's dismissal of trafficking charges.
In a unanimous decision, the court emphasized that the undercover nature of the operation meant the defendants did not attempt to traffic another person.
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