Human Trafficker Gets 10 Years

Human-Trafficker Gets 10 Years

By Katie Mulvaney-Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE –– Superior Court Judge Edward C. Clifton on Wednesday called a New York man’s role in enslaving and forcing four women into prostitution one of the most despicable crimes known to mankind.

“You can tell by the color of my skin I differ in complexion from you …,” said Clifton in addressing 23-year-old Joseph Defeis. “People of my skin color, many of them were not brought here voluntarily.”

The judge continued that history had shown over and over again how destructive slavery is.

“What you did in this matter is nothing less than being a slave owner in the United States of America,” Clifton said.

The entire article can be found at the Providence Journal Online.