Brooklyn Man Charged With Murder and Sex Trafficking of Eight Women

On Tuesday, Somorie Moses, 45, was charged in the Brooklyn Federal Court with murder and the sex trafficking of eight women after a 10-count indictment. Moses has allegedly been trafficking women since 2003, forcing them, including minors, into prostitution for his own benefit. He used many forms of violence against the women, including psychological manipulation. 

It wasn’t until the discovery of Leondra Foster’s body was Moses suspected of her murder. Foster was one of the victims subjected to prostitution and was beaten to death by Moses in the early morning of January 13, 2017, followed by the dismembering of her body a few days later. Her torso and limbs were allegedly brought to the Bronx sanitation site while her head, hands, and feet were placed in Moses’ deep freezer in his apartment after being recovered by law enforcement. 

As of right now, the charges are seen as allegations and presume Moses as innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he would face life in prison and would also be eligible for the death penalty. 

This case is believed to be the first prosecution criminalizing murder in the course of the sex trafficking under federal statute.