New York City Men Indicted in Vermont on Sex Trafficking Charges

A federal grand jury in Vermont has handed down indictments on two New York men accused of forcing women into prostitution in connection with a large drug conspiracy.

The Burlington Free Press reports the 12-count indictment charges Sharif Cargo and Gary Delima with using "force, threats of force, fraud and coercion" to compel two women into prostitution for a year beginning in September 2012.

The indictment also charges the two 26-year-old Brooklyn residents with conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine.

Prosecutors say Cargo and Delima forced their victims to travel from Vermont to New York to engage in prostitution. Delima also stands accused of trafficking a minor from New York to Vermont for the same purposes.

Delima's attorney says his client denies the charges. A call to Cargo's attorney wasn't returned.