By: Laura Soukkavong
Manhattan, NY – Manhattan’s DA announced that a Manhattan man has been sentenced to state prison for trafficking and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old juvenile.
On Dec. 16, 225, Matthew Halstead pleaded guilty to Sex Trafficking of a Child, Sex Trafficking, and multiple felony charges for exploitation. Following his admission to using social media and encrypted messaging platforms to facilitate the abuse and commercial exploitation of a minor.
Court records and statements made during proceedings, the teenager, who had left Child Protective Services placement, stayed at Halstead’s Washington Heights apartment from early March through early Aug. 2024. During the time, prosecutors said Halstead repeatedly assaulted the boy and arranged for other men to pay for sexual encounters with him.
An investigation determined that Halstead recorded and photographed sexual activity involving the child and used those images to solicit paying clients. Police stated he posted content to publicly accessible social media platforms, including X, and relied heavily on Telegram, an encrypted messaging application, to communicate with buyers and to seek additional minors.
Prosecutors say that Halstead also exchanged sexually explicit material involving other children, including very young minors, through Telegram conversations.
On Aug. 6, 2024, an investigation was launched when police initially responded to a call for a dispute between roommates. Response led the NYPD’s Manhattan Special Victims Squad and the DA’s Office Human Trafficking Unit to uncover evidence of an ongoing exploitation scheme.
DA Bragg emphasized the evolving role of technology in trafficking crimes and acknowledged the survivor’s participation in the legal process, including speaking at sentencing.
Halstead was convicted on multiple charges, including Sex Trafficking (Class B Felony), Sex Trafficking of a Child (Class B Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance as a Sexually Motivated Felony (Class C Felony), Promoting a Sexual Act in the Third Degree (two counts, Class E Felony), Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (Class E Felony), and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation (Class A Misdemeanor).
This case was prosecuted by ADA Katherine Sullivan and ADA Megan Mers under the supervision of leadership within the Human Trafficking Unit and Special Victims Division. Senior Rackets Investigators and investigative analysts assisted in building the case alongside the NYPD’s Manhattan Special Victims Squad and officers of the 34th Precinct.
Halstead will serve 12 years in state prison.