Bronx Man Charged With Violent Sex Trafficking Of Multiple Women

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael Alfonso, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI"), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging RALPH WALLACE, a/k/a "Chase," a/k/a "Prize," with sex trafficking multiple women by force, fraud, and coercion. WALLACE was arrested this morning in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave in Manhattan federal court. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: "As alleged, Ralph Wallace systematically exploited and abused women, using horrific violence to force women to engage in prostitution against their will. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who engage in sex trafficking. If you have been a victim of the alleged crimes perpetrated by Wallace, we urge you to come forward by contacting 1-877-4-HSI-TIP."

HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso said: "This defendant's arrest signals the beginning of a long journey toward freedom for women who for years have endured unimaginably cruel violence and abuse. Today's charges are a direct result of these victims' continued strength, despite Ralph Wallace's alleged inhumane treatment and manipulation. I thank them for their bravery when faced with the unknown, and pledge that HSI New York and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served."

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment:^[1]

Between at least in or about 2021 and in or about 2025, WALLACE, a self-declared "pimp," recruited multiple women to engage in commercial sex for his personal benefit and enrichment. WALLACE took nude photographs of the women and posted advertisements. He instructed the women how to dress, how to act, and how much to charge and then he took all of the proceeds.

On multiple occasions, including when women did not want to engage in commercial sex, WALLACE used violence and coercion to force them to continue doing so. This included, for example, beating, punching, choking, and dragging women on multiple occasions. WALLACE also withheld from the women money for basic necessities, such as food and toiletries, unless they agreed to continue engaging in commercial sex on his behalf.

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WALLACE, 36, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, each carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and one count of transportation to engage in prostitution, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the HSI New York/New York City Police Department Human Trafficking Task Force.

If you believe you are victim of a crime perpetrated by WALLACE, please contact HSI at Sextrafficking_outreach@hsi.dhs.gov or via their mobile tip-line at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP and reference this case.

This case is being handled by the Office's Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Madison Reddick Smyser and Getzel Berger are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.