Warrant: Victim describes escape from human trafficking ring in northwest Raleigh
Raleigh police have discovered a human trafficking and prostitution ring in northwest Raleigh, according to a search warrant obtained by WRAL News. The warrant states that one victim was beaten, held captive, and threatened not to go to authorities.
Posted 3:40 p.m. Jul 30 - Updated 6:29 p.m. Jul 30
Raleigh police believe they have found a human trafficking and prostitution ring in northwest Raleigh, according to a search warrant obtained by WRAL News.
The warrant states one victim was beaten, held captive and threatened to not go to authorities.
The warrant states the woman was forced “to engage in sexual acts with men through fear and intimidation.” It states a victim was "held against her will in three different locations for three to four months inside and outside of Raleigh."
The warrant revealed a human trafficking operation that Raleigh police uncovered in late May in a northwest Raleigh home. In the warrant, a victim described escaping the home and detailing what appears to be a human trafficking and prostitution ring.
“Human trafficking involves any type of exploitation of someone using coercion, emotional, physical or financial,” said Michael Easley Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District.
Easley said he can’t speak about the specific case, but said human trafficking is running rampant in North Carolina.
“It is something that hides in plain sight,” Easley said.
WRAL News asked Raleigh police if officers have made any arrests in the case. Police said the investigation is ongoing and that they did not have any updates to release as of Tuesday.
The warrant also states, "The victim indicated she had met female subject on social media site. This subject, whom she thought was female, explained to her that she was looking for partner in massage business."
The victim told Raleigh police that her interaction got worse, according to the warrant.
“The victim was initially told by the ‘boss’ that she could keep half the money she was paid, but usually all her money was taken from her by the guards,” the warrant states.
The warrant also states that black plastic garbage bags were put over the windows so no one could look in or out.
Also, the victim told police in the warrant that everyone in the home and the people coming and going were of Asian descent. Raleigh police verified that in its investigation, according to the warrant.
https://www.wral.com/story/warrant-victim-describes-escape-from-human-trafficking-ring-in-northwest-raleigh/21550509/