2 NY Men Charged With Human Trafficking In RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Police say two New York men enslaved teenagers as young as 16 in Rhode Island and forced them into prostitution.

Police say Andy Fakhoury and Joseph Defeis, both 23 of Yonkers, N.Y., came to Providence because of a loophole that legalized indoor prostitution. Lawmakers closed the loophole last year.

According to a police affidavit, Defeis and Fakhoury brought a 16-year-old girl to Rhode Island to work as a prostitute between 2007 and 2009. Police also say Fakhoury raped a 19-year-old and forced her into prostitution from July through mid-October.

Fakhoury is being held without bail after waiving his right to a bail hearing Friday.

Defeis was charged with trafficking and involuntary servitude and released on $10,000 surety on Nov. 5. A number for Defeis couldn't be located and he couldn't be reached for comment Saturday.

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