Prosecutors allege a woman was held against her will and sexually abused for about six weeks at a Malden residence.
MALDEN, MA — A 29-year-old Malden man was held without bail Friday after pleading not guilty to charges stemming from allegations that a woman was held against her will and sexually abused for about six weeks, according to authorities and court reporting.
Jordende Pierre faces charges of trafficking a person for sexual servitude, kidnapping and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf during his court appearance. He was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Oct. 6. The charges are allegations, and Pierre is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation began after Malden police responded Sept. 20 to a residence following a call from a landlord, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities said the investigation led to the discovery of a woman who allegedly had been held against her will and sexually abused for approximately six weeks. Police have said the woman was taken to a safe location and reunited with her family.
Prosecutors provided additional details during Pierre’s court appearance Friday. They said the woman was found in an attic area of a building on Summer Street after the landlord had difficulty accessing that part of the property. The woman was found living in poor conditions, according to prosecutors. Authorities have not publicly identified her, and details that could unnecessarily identify the alleged victim have been withheld.
Prosecutors allege Pierre met the woman through a dating app before bringing her to the Malden residence. They accused him of keeping her there against her will and sexually abusing her. Prosecutors also alleged Pierre arranged sexual encounters involving the woman and other men. Authorities have not announced charges against other people in connection with those allegations.
Malden District Court issued an arrest warrant for Pierre on Sept. 23 on the trafficking, kidnapping and indecent assault and battery charges. He was arrested in Malden the following day during an operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service District of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and Malden police.
The arrest took place in the area of the 300 block of Summer Street. Malden police said during the initial arrest operation that the investigation was ongoing but that authorities did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the public. Police also said they were limiting the release of information to protect the woman involved in the case.
Dennis Matulewicz, acting U.S. marshal for the District of Massachusetts, described the allegations as deeply disturbing and said federal, state and local agencies worked together to locate and arrest Pierre. The Marshals Service also emphasized in announcing the arrest that criminal charges and allegations are accusations and that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case remains under investigation. Pierre remained in custody following Friday’s court proceedings and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 6 for a dangerousness hearing. Authorities had not announced additional arrests in the case as of Saturday.
Author note: Last updated Sept. 26, 2026.