Thursday, October 1, 2026
A Valley Stream man has been sentenced for sex trafficking, prostitution and rape-related charges involving a 16-year-old victim.
Terrell Chery, 28, was sentenced on Dec. 23 to nine years in prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision. Upon his release, Chery will be required to register as a sex offender.
“Terrell Chery took advantage of a vulnerable, missing 16-year-old child, engaging her in sexual intercourse and profiting off of selling her for sex to online buyers,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a news release. “Sex traffickers often target the most vulnerable young girls and women in our communities with empty promises of support and love to get them to submit to a life of prostitution. These individuals are true predators, and my prosecutors will ensure that they are put behind bars where they belong.”
Chery pleaded guilty on Nov. 24, before Judge Meryl Berkowitz, to sex trafficking of a child, a violent felony; promoting prostitution also a felony; rape in the third degree, another felony; and two misdemeanors — endangering the welfare of a child and criminal contempt.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the charges stem from events that occurred on Dec. 23, 2024, when police officers responded to the Floral Park Motor Lodge while assisting in the search for a missing 16-year-old juvenile from New York City.
When officers knocked on the door of one hotel room, Chery was found inside with a young woman. Police determined that the woman had a valid and active full Stay Away Order of Protection against Chery, which he was violating.
During the investigation, officers found the missing juvenile in a hotel room down the hall from Chery. Authorities determined that Chery met the 16-year-old victim and engaged in sexual intercourse with her at the motor lodge.
The investigation further revealed that Chery advanced the prostitution of the juvenile by securing hotel and motel rooms, arranging “dates”, meeting buyers of sex and facilitating transportation to multiple locations for prostitution. Chery also assisted in posting online advertisements for the victim and accepted money from her after she engaged in prostitution.
Chery was arrested on Dec. 23, 2024, by members of the Floral Park Police Department, with the assistance of the FBI Long Island Human Trafficking Task Force and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.
