1:22-cr-10306
D. Mass.Jan 21, 2025Background
- Sadeq Ali Quraishi, a licensed anesthesiologist, was convicted by a jury of attempted sex trafficking of a child under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a)(1), (b)(2), and 1594(a), after responding to an undercover operation run by law enforcement in the Greater Boston area.
- Quraishi responded to commercial sex advertisements posted online by undercover agents, who explicitly stated they were offering sex with 12- and 14-year-old girls.
- Quraishi negotiated and agreed to pay $250 for unprotected anal sex with a fictitious 14-year-old, then traveled to a hotel in Waltham with the intent to complete the transaction.
- Upon arrival, Quraishi met with an undercover agent, confirmed his intent and ability to pay for the sex act, and was arrested on site by federal authorities.
- At trial, Quraishi falsely testified that he intended to "rescue" the fictitious victims, but his testimony was rejected as untrue by the jury based on substantial evidence of his actual intent.
- The government recommends a sentence of 151 months in prison, citing the aggravating factors of Quraishi's professional background, his willful obstruction of justice through perjury, and the need for deterrence in these offenses.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application of 2-level enhancement for computer use | Quraishi's use of a cell phone for online negotiation and solicitation supports enhancement | May dispute agent's role as having "custody or control" of the minor | Enhancement appropriate because the facts satisfy guideline requirements |
| Application of 2-level enhancement for obstruction of justice/perjury | Quraishi willfully gave false testimony at trial, constituting perjury | Enhancement not proper for mere denial of guilt; claims story was honest | Enhancement applied; testimony was false, material, willful |
| Sentencing range calculation | Guidelines with enhancements yield offense level 34; 151–188 months appropriate | Guidelines misapplied; perjury/obstruction and computer use enhancements not warranted | Guidelines correctly calculated, enhancements and range adopted |
| Length of sentence under § 3553(a) | Seriousness of intent, professional background, need for deterrence justify 151 months | Sentence should be lower; not similarly situated to others; mitigating circumstances | 151-month sentence is warranted considering aggravating factors |
Key Cases Cited
- United States v. Dunnigan, 507 U.S. 87 (False testimony constituting perjury at trial supports sentencing enhancement for obstruction of justice)
- United States v. Nagell, 911 F.3d 23 (1st Cir. 2018) (Standards for applying obstruction of justice enhancement for perjury at sentencing)
- United States v. Mercer, 834 F.3d 39 (1st Cir. 2016) (Defendant's right to testify does not permit perjury; enhancement upheld)
- United States v. McKeeve, 131 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 1997) (Application of obstruction of justice for false denial of knowledge by defendant)