Brooklyn Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Interstate Prostitution of Multiple Victims at the 'Penn Track' in East New York

Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, charging Ferron Facey, also known as "Azul," "Blue," "Royal" and "Royal Da P," with two counts of sex trafficking and one count of interstate prostitution for bringing young women from out of state to the Eastern District of New York to prostitute under threat of force, fraud and coercion. Facey was arrested earlier today in Brooklyn and made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo where he was ordered detained.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and charges.

"As alleged, the defendant trafficked women from out of state, including a minor, to serve as commercial sex workers for him at the notorious Penn Track in East New York, Brooklyn," stated United States Attorney Peace. "My Office is working diligently with our local and federal law enforcement partners to shut down this blight on our district where vulnerable victims are callously exploited by people like the defendant and the customers who patronize this location."

"Ferron Facey allegedly coerced two young women, including a minor, to travel to New York where he subsequently trafficked them for sex under threats of violence. The defendant's violent history and alleged actions not only pose a grave danger to the community, but also to potential victims out of state, as his depravity knows no bounds. With the assistance from our law enforcement partners, the FBI is determined to dismantle sex trafficking operations in our city and apprehend the criminals who exploit their victims for profits," stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Curtis.

According to court filings, Facey allegedly recruited young women - including at least one 16-year-old minor - in another state and brought them to New York to work for him in prostitution at an open-air sex market in East New York, Brooklyn, known as the "Penn Track" or "blade." Facey used violence, coercion and threats of force to exert control over these victims and to keep them working in prostitution for him. Facey has a history of threatening violence against women on the Penn Track. For example, in a video posted on social media in July 2023, he was captured verbally assaulting a woman on the Penn Track and saying, "I got hoes out here that'll beat you up right now . . . I put hands on bitches[.]" Shortly afterward, two individuals emerged from the defendant's car and physically attacked the woman.

During his arrest and execution of a search warrant discovered an unloaded 9-millimeter handgun in the bedroom, an unloaded magazine kicked under the kitchen cabinets, multiple rounds of live 9-millimeter ammunition hidden in an air fryer in the kitchen, and a brown, powdery substance consistent with cocaine spilled onto the floor of the bathroom, the toilet seat, and in the toilet. Near the apparent contraband narcotics were approximately 200 glassines, or wax paper bags used in drug sales to package narcotics for individual sale. Nearly $3,000 in $100, $50 and 20$ bills was found in an elastic behind the bed in the bedroom.

If convicted of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment. The interstate prostitution charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret Schierberl is in charge of the prosecution.

The <_w3a_sdt docpart="E719C6D74F954215BAC1EE89BBA3A43E" dropdown="t" id="1174685880"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="Defendant" listvalue="Defendant"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="Defendants" listvalue="Defendants"> Defendant:

FERRON FACEY (also known as "Azul," "Blue," "Royal" and "Royal Da P")
Age: 38
Brooklyn, <_w3a_sdt docpart="885A2E9BF41644EB9D63FEA8EA22BE9D" id="1586800551">New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. <_w3a_sdt docpart="C985C3FE35944BEDAD475A4C710686B2" id="-1950002052">24-CR-339 (AMD)