Man charged with trafficking woman, forcing her to rob stores in Massachusetts.

A 26-year-old man accused of forcing a woman into prostitution and helping her rob convenience stores in Massachusetts was indicted on federal charges Wednesday, authorities said.

David Walker, 26, is charged with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; one count of coercion to travel for the purpose of prostitution; five counts of theft interfering with interstate commerce; and one count of possession, use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, the office of Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy said in a statement.

“Mr. Walker’s alleged behavior is horrific,” Levy said in a statement. “He is accused of recklessly exploiting this young woman, forcing her to live in fear and violence for his own criminal gain. As he alleged, this defendant used extreme violence and intimidation to control his victim, even forcing her to participate in multiple robberies.”

Prosecutors say Walker met a woman on social media, began a romantic relationship with her, and then began pressuring her to engage in commercial sex. When she repeatedly refused, authorities say, the 26-year-old became violent, grabbing her by the neck and throwing her to the ground. He allegedly demanded that she earn $800 a day, physically and sexually abusing her if she earned less than that amount. He allegedly kicked her in the stomach, put blades to her throat, put a loaded gun to her head, and threatened to kill her and her family members if she didn’t comply.

In addition to forcing her to travel to Maine to work as a prostitute, Walker allegedly forced her to use drugs to make her less able to refuse his demands.

Prosecutors allege that when Walker robbed four separate 7-Eleven convenience stores in West Roxbury, Cambridge, Watertown and Pepperell in October 2023, he forced the woman to help him in the robberies.

“The extreme violence Walker is accused of paints a nightmarish picture. This survivor’s story is heartbreaking and, unfortunately, we see it all too often in trafficking victims. Benign romantic relationships can quickly be upended and transformed into one of abuse, violence and coercion,” Michael Krol, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, said in a statement.

Walker is currently in custody on similar charges, according to Levy’s office, but is expected to appear in federal court in Boston. Information about Walker’s attorney was not immediately available.