Commonwealth v. Matos

At issue in this case is the meaning of the language in G. L. c. 272, § 4A, inserted by St. 1979, c. 676, which makes it a penalty to “induce[] a minor to become a prostitute.” After a jury trial in the Superior Court, the defendant was convicted under the statute of “inducing] a minor to become a prostitute.” The defendant also was convicted of deriving support from the earnings or proceeds of a prostitute, G. L. c. 272, § 7, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, G. L. c. 119, § 63.1 The defendant appeals.

The defendant contends that in order to be convicted of inducing a minor to…