Man ran human trafficking operation out of basement: DA

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (FOX 5 NY) - Calling him a "dangerous and depraved individual," Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini announced an indictment Thursday against a man who allegedly ran a human trafficking operation out of his parent's basement in Sound Beach.

Raymond Rodio III, 47, was charged with sex trafficking and promoting prostitution in the 14-count indictment unsealed in Central Islip.

Rodio met nearly two dozen women on social media and gave them heroin, crack and other drugs to force them into prostitution for nearly four years, Sini said. Once they were addicted, he'd allegedly threaten to withhold the drugs, according to the indictment.

"He used the basement of his parents' home as a dungeon," Sini said. "He preyed on women using their vulnerabilities and their drug dependencies to maintain his control over them."

Rodio posted online ads on Backpage and Craigslist, made the women have sex with clients in the basement and in motels on Long Island, and took most or all of the money that clients paid the women, authorities allege in the indictment.

"Some of the victims were forced to stay in the basement for long periods of time where there are no showers, no bathrooms," Sini said. "They were forced to use a bucket as a toilet."

The victims were primarily from Suffolk County and in their 20s.

Rodio pleaded not guilty and was ordered held on $1 million bail or $2 million bond. 

If convicted, Rodio faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

His parents were not charged.