A husband and wife duo from New York were arrested after running a “twisted” sex trafficking operation spanning multiple states in which the victims were beaten and even branded as part of the efforts to coerce them into complying, according to prosecutors.
Tyron and Nicole Dumel were arrested Wednesday in connection with a sex trafficking ring based in Rockland County, where they live, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
“These defendants allegedly operated a human trafficking network in which Tyron Dumel forced victims to engage in sexual acts for profit through physical and psychological coercion, while Nicole Dumel collected their illicit proceeds,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle Jr. “The Dumels allegedly exploited and abused nearly a dozen women across the country to generate a twisted cash flow.”
The trafficking ring started in Aug. 2025 and stretched into Feb. 2026, according to the indictment. Tyron Dumel would post on social media, which is how he allegedly recruited women to engage in commercial sex. He then brought at least 10 women to locations in six states — including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut — to have sex at his direction and under his supervision with paying clients, the indictment states.
Dumel physically assaulted some of the victims — one of whom he threatened, sprayed with pepper spray, and forced to have sex with him, according to the indictment. He also allegedly forced that same woman and others to get a tattoo of his personal “brand.”
Prosecutors said Dumel coerced victims to obey his demands by threatening to withhold money gained through the operation, and even withholding food. He also allegedly lied to the women about where the proceeds had gone.
For her part, Nicole Dumel set up the online account her husband used to post the commercial sex advertisements, edited online photos of at least one sex worker to make the advertisements, and set up accounts to receive money transfers from the clients, the indictment stated. The money was sent to accounts the married couple controlled.
The couple raked in thousands of dollars as a result of the sex trafficking ring, according to prosecutors.
“The defendants have allegedly conspired to traffic at least 10 women to engage in commercial sex. In furtherance of that operation, Tyron Dumel allegedly exerted ruthless control over sex trafficking victims through lies, intimidation, violence, and psychological abuse, while he and Nicole Dumel allegedly reaped thousands of dollars in profits,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “This kind of conduct should shock the conscience of every New Yorker, and it will not be tolerated.”
Tyron Dumel faces multiple charges, including sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; transportation for prostitution; and conspiracy to transport individuals for prostitution. Nicole Dumel was charged with one count of conspiracy to transport individuals for prostitution.
At their court appearance Thursday, Tyron Dumel was ordered detained, while his wife was released on bond.
Tyron Dumel’s defense attorney, Howard Tanner, did not wish to comment when contacted by NBC New York. Ben Gold, the public attorney representing Nicole Dumel, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
If convicted, Tyron Dumel faces up to life in prison; Nicole Dumel could face up to five years in prison.