Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that with the stroke of Governor Chafee's pen, Rhode Island may now seize assets and profits from pimps and human traffickers who enslave others for sexual enterprises. The legislation, filed on behalf of Attorney General Kilmartin by Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) and Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence), corrects what the sponsors said is an unjust result of current law.
Previously, those convicted of prostitution have been subject to forfeiture of any assets received due to their unlawful acts. But those who induce or allow another to provide those services – the pimps and human traffickers -- have not been subject to the forfeiture of proceeds that result from the unlawful activity.
The new law strikes the forfeiture provision from law as it applies to prostitutes, and adds the forfeiture provision to the law dealing with individuals who by any promise or threat, by abuse or by any other device or scheme cause, induce, persuade or encourage a person to become a prostitute. It also adds the offense of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act to those offenses subject to the forfeiture provisions.
"Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, and certainly one of the most profitable. The ability to seize the assets of someone who engages in enslaving and trafficking individuals – primarily women – for sexual purposes is a critical tool in combating this growing problem," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "Seizing profits hits traffickers and pimps where it hurts and sends a clear message that law enforcement and prosecutors will not tolerate profiting from another human being."