Feds: Two accused of sex trafficking of minors on LI

Two sex traffickers from the Bronx lured underage girls and posted provocative images online to market the girls for sex at a Long Island house and other locations, federal authorities said in announcing arrests Thursday.

Elfego Boyd, 27, and Norman Darby, 32, were arrested after an investigation by the NYPD and FBI and were held pending trial, according to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan.

Each was charged with various counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, sex trafficking of minors and use of interstate facilities to promote a sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise. They face a maximum sentence of life in prison, prosecutors said.

Between September 2010 and June 2012, they offered minors -- especially runaways -- romance with them and shelter, authorities said. When the girls had sex with customers, Boyd and Darby pocketed half, if not all of the money, prosecutors said.

In one case, Boyd gave food and shelter to a Pennsylvania runaway, 15, after she agreed to be a prostitute for him, prosecutors said. She was taken to a Long Island house, where she stayed for months with Boyd and Darby and had sex for money with men, authorities said. She turned 16 that year and told Boyd her age at least once, prosecutors said.

In another case, Boyd took photos of two Oklahoma runaways, ages 15 and 17, in lingerie, and when the older one told him she was 17, Boyd replied he was the only one who needed to know her age, Preet's office said.

Boyd and Darby could not be reached for comment Thursday night, and it was not clear if they had attorneys.

Bharara said the investigation continues.