Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Verdict In U.S. V. Lawrence Ray
Lawrence Ray was convicted of a decade-long campaign of psychological abuse, sex trafficking, forced labor, and extortion against former Sarah Lawrence College students, resulting in over $1 million in financial losses and a 60-year prison sentence.
Lawrence Ray was found guilty in April 2022 of orchestrating a decade-long pattern of abuse, coercion, and financial exploitation against a group of college students beginning in 2009 when he moved into his daughter’s dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College. He used violence, threats, and psychological manipulation to force victims into sex work, steal their assets, and commit crimes, resulting in over $1 million in financial losses and compelling them into debt and isolation. Ray was convicted on multiple federal charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, forced labor, and extortion, and was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Lawrence Ray moved into his daughter’s dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College in 2009 and began a decade-long campaign of psychological abuse, physical violence, and financial exploitation against a group of vulnerable students. He used threats, isolation, and torture to control his victims, forcing them into prostitution, stealing their money and assets, and compelling them to commit fraud and extortion to fund his lavish lifestyle. The prosecution documented over $1 million in financial losses inflicted on the victims, with Ray also convicted of sex trafficking and forced labor under federal racketeering statutes. His crimes were characterized by prolonged psychological manipulation, including coercing victims to cut ties with family and endure degrading acts under threat of harm. The case culminated in a landmark verdict in April 2022, with Ray found guilty on all counts in the Southern District of New York. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams praised the victims’ extraordinary bravery in testifying despite severe trauma. Ray was sentenced to 60 years in prison, marking a decisive end to his reign of terror and a major victory for federal prosecutors and law enforcement partners.
Extracted insights
- person Larry Ray ×2
- person damian williams
- organization Department of Justice
- person nicholas biase
- organization Sarah Lawrence College
- location United States
- organization U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District Of New York
- person Victoria Bosah
- U.S. Attorney Damian Williams Make Statement On The Verdict In U.S. V. Lawrence Ray
- Larry Ray Move Into His Daughter’s Dorm Room At Sarah Lawrence College
- Larry Ray Use Violence, Threats, And Psychological Abuse To Control And Destroy Their Lives
- Larry Ray Exploit Them
- Larry Ray Terrorize Them
- Larry Ray Torture Them
- U.S. Attorney Damian Williams Call Larry Ray A Predator
- U.S. Attorney Damian Williams Call Larry Ray An Evil Man Who Did Evil Things
- U.S. Attorney Damian Williams Thank The Career Prosecutors In My Office, The Southern District Of New York, And Our Law Enforcement Partners
Press Release Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Verdict In U.S. V. Lawrence Ray Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York “Twelve years ago, Larry Ray moved into his daughter’s dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College. And when he got there, he met a group of friends who had their whole lives ahead of them. For the next decade, he used violence, threats, and psychological abuse to try to control and destroy their lives. He exploited them. He terrorized them. He tortured them. Let me be very clear. Larry Ray is a predator. An evil man who did evil things. Today’s verdict finally brings him to justice. This verdict would not have been possible without the victims who testified in court. We are in awe of their bravery in the face of incredible trauma. I also want to thank the career prosecutors in my Office, the Southern District of New York, and our law enforcement partners, who stood with those victims and worked tirelessly to ensure that justice was done. Thank you.” Contact Nicholas Biase Victoria Bosah (212) 637-2600 Updated April 6, 2022 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 22-105
Press Release Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Verdict In U.S. V. Lawrence Ray Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York “Twelve years ago, Larry Ray moved into his daughter’s dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College. And when he got there, he met a group of friends who had their whole lives ahead of them. For the next decade, he used violence, threats, and psychological abuse to try to control and destroy their lives. He exploited them. He terrorized them. He tortured them. Let me be very clear. Larry Ray is a predator. An evil man who did evil things. Today’s verdict finally brings him to justice. This verdict would not have been possible without the victims who testified in court. We are in awe of their bravery in the face of incredible trauma. I also want to thank the career prosecutors in my Office, the Southern District of New York, and our law enforcement partners, who stood with those victims and worked tirelessly to ensure that justice was done. Thank you.” Contact Nicholas Biase Victoria Bosah (212) 637-2600 Updated April 6, 2022 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 22-105