Press Release  Salem NH Woman Convicted of Human Trafficking

Lawrence, Massachusetts — A Salem Superior Court jury found a 54-year old woman guilty of human trafficking today following 4 hours of deliberations.

The jury found Lori Barron of Salem, NH guilty of three counts of human trafficking and one count each of prostitution and photographing an unsuspecting person in the nude.  They returned a not guilty verdict on a witness intimidation charge.

Judge Helene Kazanjian revoked Ms. Barron’s bail and she was taken into custody.  A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2017 at 2:00 pm in Salem Superior Court.

“The victims in this case showed great courage in testifying,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.  “In doing so, they enabled us to hold this defendant accountable and protect other young women from exploitation.”

Essex Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall presented evidence that proved that Lori Barron recruited young women to perform sexual acts for a fee at her massage parlor in Lawrence.  After hiring the women to work as a receptionist, she would pressure them to give massages and instructed them to perform a sex act at the conclusion of the massage.  She videotaped the women performing the sex acts and threatened to show the videos to family members or the Department of Children and Families if the women refused to perform the sex acts. 

Barron was arrested in June of 2013, after one of the young women went to the Lawrence Police to report that Barron was operating a prostitution business the Day Spa for Gentlemen on Broadway in Lawrence. 

ADA MacDougall praised the work of Sgts. Amanda Burke and John Dushame and  Detective Paul McMillan of Lawrence Police and Sgt. Robert Genest and Officer Nick Turner of Salem, NH Police.

Ms. Barron was represented by Attorney Michael Tumposky.

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