Man convicted of forcing women into prostitution sentenced

BOSTON (AP) — A Rhode Island man who according to authorities forced multiple women with drug dependencies into prostitution and used violence and starvation to control them has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Federal prosecutors in Boston say 48-year-old Ronald Hall, of Woonsocket, used force, threats and coercion to traffic five victims in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Florida and Nevada from 2010 until 2019. In addition to the prison term, Hall was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in an amount that will be determined at a later date. He pleaded guilty in August.