A multi-agency task force in Lewisville searching for victims of human trafficking arrested and charged 10 people for prostitution and/or compelling prostitution Friday.
The Denton County Sheriff's Office said Monday that eight women and one man were arrested and charged after telling investigators they were not victims of human trafficking.
Police said if the women and man were found to have been victims of trafficking they would have received services and help instead of being charged.
The sheriff's department identified those arrested as Meeliasha Escobedo, Kearis Morris, Alycia Red, Leneicia Griffin, Jordan Hussey, Sundee Hunter, Alexus Harden, Jasmine King, James Allen, Micah Freeman and Craig Childers.
Freeman was arrested and charged with compelling prostitution and is being held on $5,000 bond. Childers was charged with prostitution and possession an is being held on $3,500 bond. Both men are being held at the Denton County Jail.
The women charged with prostitution were held on $1,000 bond; as of this writing all but Harden have posted bond and have been released from the Denton County Jail.
Allen was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and was issued a ticket, according to Denton County Jail records.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
"This operation focused on rescuing victims of Human Trafficking who often are too afraid to reach out for help or do not have the ability to do so on their own. The Denton County Sheriff’s Officer will continue to work on rescuing victims of Human Trafficking and prosecute the people who support it," the sheriff's office said in a news release.
The human trafficking operation was conducted by the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, Lewisville Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
If you are in the United States and believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking, report your suspicions to law enforcement by calling 911 or the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Resource Center line at 1-888-373-7888. Trafficking victims, including undocumented individuals, are eligible for services and immigration assistance.
To learn more about the indicators of human trafficking, click here for 15 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking from the U.S. Department of State.
