Traffic Stop
Leads to Human Trafficking Arrest, Canton, Georgia
On
Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at approximately 10:24 a.m., an officer with the
Canton Police Department conducted a traffic stop, which resulted in the arrest
of a juvenile female for human trafficking, kidnapping, and multiple other
charges.
The officer conducted
the traffic stop on North Street near Railroad Street in Canton, Georgia, after
observing the driver holding her cellphone while operating the vehicle. When
asked for identification, the female driver could not provide a driver's license
or identification, leading the Officer to obtain her name and date of birth.
The officer
returned to his vehicle, where upon running the vehicle registration, learned
the 2014 Dodge Caravan was reported stolen out of North Carolina. A search of
the van was conducted, which led to locating 13 THC vape cartridges, 3 vape
pens, a THC Nerds Rope, and a large amount of lingerie.
Suspicious
of the relationship and items located in the vehicle, detectives were requested
to the scene. After further investigation, detectives determined the female
passenger was a 13-year-old juvenile, who was a victim of human trafficking and
kidnapping. Officers and Detectives were able to determine the driver was transporting
the victim to another state.
The female
driver was placed under arrest. Charges listed are listed below:
-Trafficking
of Persons for Labor or Sexual Servitude
-Kidnapping
-Giving
False Name, Address, or Date of Birth
-Theft by
Receiving Stolen Property -Stolen in Other State
-Unlawful
Use of Wireless Device
- VGCSA
Possession of a Controlled Substance
It was later
determined the female driver was in fact a 16-year-old juvenile, after
obtaining her true identity. She is currently in custody at a regional youth
detention center.
The victim has
been reunited with her family.
Chief
Stephen Merrifield stated, “I would like to express my gratitude for the
exceptional work of our Officers and Detectives in this case. By taking a
routine traffic stop and conducting an exceptional investigation, members of
the Canton Police Department forever changed a young girl's life for the better.”
