Brade
A former Emmanuel College admissions director, JACOB HENRIQUES, 29, was arrested Friday on charges of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, federal officials announced. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts alleges that HENRIQUES exploited his position to access the personal information of at least four prospective students, including a 17-year-old high school girl, whom he allegedly offered $400 in exchange for sex.
According to prosecutors, HENRIQUES met with three prospective students on April 25 and later contacted them with explicit offers, including payment for sexual acts and unsolicited pornographic material. He allegedly targeted a fourth victim after she committed to attending Emmanuel College, sending her pornographic videos and making similar propositions.
The 17-year-old victim reportedly received a text from HENRIQUES within hours of completing a campus tour on or around April 25. Using her phone number from her admissions form, he allegedly offered her $400 for “some fun” and sent her five pornographic videos. Despite her repeated rejections, HENRIQUES persisted, asking if she wanted to participate in a gangbang and offering to buy her anything she desired if she changed her mind.
Between April 25 and April 28, HENRIQUES allegedly accessed the girl’s profile 47 times. After she blocked his number, he began emailing her, officials said.
HENRIQUES has been charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and faces up to life in prison if convicted. He is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston on Monday.
Emmanuel College confirmed that HENRIQUES has been terminated following an internal investigation. A spokesperson expressed deep concern over the allegations, stating, “We are saddened, angered, and shocked by these serious federal allegations that have been brought against a former employee. They are an affront to our core values, and we stand with any victimized by this incident.”
The FBI’s Boston Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is actively seeking to identify other potential victims who may have been targeted by HENRIQUES between 2024 and 2025.
[Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts; WBZ-TV]
