A now-25-year-old Haverhill man was found guilty of attempting to sex traffic a 12-year-old during a sting two years ago.
Prosecutors said Monday Sharath Chandra Bollu, was found guilty by a federal jury after a four-day trial.
Bollu was convicted of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. U.S. Chief District Court Judge Samantha Elliott ordered Bollu held pending sentencing scheduled for Nov. 24.
As WHAV reported at the time, police posted and monitored Nov. 14, 2024, a web advertisement on a site commonly used to advertise commercial sex. The ad contained images of what appeared to be two minor females and a contact phone number. Police monitored the line and used it to communicate with potential sex buyers. During a text conversation and several telephone calls between an undercover agent and Bollu, the agent said a 12-year-old girl was available to perform sex acts for money. Bollu then traveled to a Manchester, N.H., hotel, where he brought condoms and $100 in cash in anticipation of a meeting.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation with assistance from Manchester Police Department, New Hampshire Attorney General’s office and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.