Two SC men isolated women, fed them drugs and sold their bodies for sex, police say
Two men sitting in the Aiken County Detention Center on drug and other charges are now being accused of trafficking women in sex, according to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Department.
Craig Ellis Codd, 52, and Simon Lavar Alexander Hammond, 39, both of Trenton, are accused of profiting from the sexual acts of at least three women, between 18 and 38 years old, through force, fraud or coercion, officials said.
Around 8 a.m. Thursday, investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants on two homes belonging to Codd and Hammond — 8086 and 8097 Justee Lane in Trenton, according to a press release. The search warrants followed a four-month investigation. Both suspects are charged with 10 counts each, and each count carries up to 15 years in prison.
The arrest warrant says the two men isolated the women through fear of violence, fed them drugs, and advertised their bodies for sex on various websites. The investigation is ongoing, and officials ask members of the public with information about the case to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at 803-648-6811. To report human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
In March, The State Media Co. published a five-part series about the growing problem of sex trafficking in South Carolina. Pressure is increasing for police to address the underlying problem as opposed to making routine prostitution arrests. And advocates are working to fill the growing need for housing, therapy and the other resources for trafficking victims. Here is what The State found:
‘The devil you know.’ SC residents are selling family members into the sex trade
Prison can be ‘saving grace’ — or further trauma — for victims of human trafficking
Brainwashed and manipulated. Why SC police have trouble arresting sex traffickers
SC woman devotes life to saving sex trafficking victims. She isn’t always successful
Men seeking sex in SC massage parlors are likely abusing human trafficking victims
This story was originally published April 3, 2019 at 6:01 PM.
