Concord Ledger

Charging documents were unsealed today, revealing allegations against three individuals for attempting to sex traffic a child at a Manchester hotel. This development was announced by U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young following a proactive operation by federal and local law enforcement agencies.

The defendants charged with attempted sex trafficking of a minor are Stacey Ray Lancaster, 46, from Hudson, New Hampshire; Arthur Picanco, 42, from Bradford, Massachusetts; and Ozeias Luiz Guilherme, 38, from Haverhill, Massachusetts. All three are currently in federal custody and will appear in federal court on Monday, November 18, 2024. Lancaster's hearing is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Guilherme's for 2:30 pm, and Picanco's for 3:00 pm.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations with support from the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Vicinanzo, Kasey Weiland, Anna Krasinski, and Georgiana MacDonald.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project aims to utilize resources across federal, state, and local levels to prosecute offenders and protect victims.

For further inquiries from the community regarding this case or Project Safe Childhood initiatives can be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Public Voicemail Line at 603-230-2563.