Courtesy WMUR Abrahan Jacome, 26, formerly of Methuen, Mass.

NASHUA – Until his arrest on charges of drug-related human trafficking on Sept. 30, 2016, Massachusetts resident Abrahan Jacome had a virtually spotless criminal record, according to his court file.

But now, the 26-year-old Jacome, most recently of 55 Oak St. in Methuen, is beginning a 2-5 year state prison sentence, the result of a plea agreement he has reached with prosecutors to settle charges of prostitution-related human trafficking and drug possession.

Jacome, on Wednesday, agreed to plead guilty to one count each of trafficking in persons and possession of fentanyl under a “capped plea” arrangement, in which prosecutors and defense attorneys each present their sentence recommendations to the judge, who then determines the length and terms of the sentence.

In this case, Judge Jacalyn Colburn settled on the 2-5 year sentence on the trafficking charge, and a 1-2 year sentence, suspended for five years, on the drug possession offense.

Colburn also credited Jerome with the 404 days he’s served in jail, which brings his minimum prison sentence to just under 11 months.

Other conditions of the agreement include a $350 fine, plus penalties, that was also suspended for five years; that Jacome have no contact with the victim, and that he meaningfully participate in any counseling, treatment or educational programs as directed by prison officials.

Jacome, 26, had been jailed on high bail since his arrest on Sept. 30, 2016, following a police investigation in which detectives learned that Jacome had been plying a young woman with heroin and forcing her into performing sex for commercial purposes.

Police, at the time, accused Jacome of “facilitating and controlling” the young woman’s access to drugs, one of the factors that prompted police to charge him with one count each of trafficking in persons and attempted trafficking in persons.

The charging documents state that Jacome “knowingly compelled,” and attempted to compel, the alleged victim “to perform commercial sex act(s) for the benefit of another” between Aug. 19 and Sept. 30, 2016.

In court Wednesday, Assistant County Attorney Michele Battaglia, who prosecuted the case, said that the victim told police that Jacome took advantage of her drug addiction by “controlling her access to heroin” and forcing her to perform sex acts for money.

Battaglia said the woman also indicated that Jacome had made threats to her and her family.

Previously filed court documents indicate Jacome advertised for “clients” on the social media site backpage.com under the “escorts” section.

The documents state they operated out of a room at a motel in south Nashua, and it was there that they arrested Jacome.

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.

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