19 arrested in undercover human trafficking investigation, North Carolina sheriff says
An undercover human trafficking and prostitution investigation led to 19 arrests, according to the Alamance County sheriff.
The sting operation in central North Carolina ended with nine accused of soliciting prostitution, six charged with prostitution, and a host of other charges that included promoting and profiting from prostitution.
“During the operation, multiple people solicited undercover officers, where they planned to pay for sexual acts, and/or wished to be paid to perform sexual acts,” the sheriff’s office said. Undercover officers ran the sting on Jan. 28 and 29, officials said.
The sheriff’s office said they were able to get new evidence of people who are profiting from prostitution “as well as those who may be involved in forcing individuals into prostitution and human trafficking.” There may be more arrests in the cases, officials said.
One of the people arrested during the undercover operation, Koury Jacquez Bynum of Mebane, tried to escape when officers moved to pull over his car, the sheriff’s office said.
“As a result, the driver of the vehicle failed to stop and a short chase ensued. Investigators performed a pit maneuver on the suspect vehicle, where it came to a stop. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot and was apprehended within minutes after,” according to the sheriff’s office.
These are the 19 people arrested and their charges, according to the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office:
- Juan Enrique Garcia Roque of Asheboro: Solicit Prostitution
- Dana Gilmore of Greensboro: Solicit Prostitution
- Jose Luis Romero Conde of Durham: Solicit Prostitution
- Dung Quang Tran of Spring Lake: Solicit Prostitution
- Michael Thomas Logan of Mebane: Solicit Prostitution
- Banthao Chanthavong of Troy: Solicit Prostitution, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Robert Junior Henry of Durham: Solicit Prostitution
- Jim William Bookwalter of Burlington: Solicit Prostitution
- Donovan Bennett Hughes of Burlington: Prostitution, Resist Delay Obstruct an Investigation
- Crystal Dawn Leide of Burlington: Prostitution
- Koury Jacquez Bynum of Mebane: Aid and Abet Prostitution, Felony Flee to Elude Arrest, Possession with the Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession with the Intent to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia, Reckless Driving, Driving while License Revoked, Speeding, Fail to Stop at Stop Sign, Resisting Public Officer, (Also had an outstanding warrant for Assault on Female, out of Burlington Police Department)
- Brian Toney Hill of Burlington: Solicit Prostitution
- Elizabeth Lynn Locklear of Summerfield: Felony Prostitution – 2nd Offense, (Also had an outstanding order for arrest from Chatham County)
- Clevron Nashawn Powell of Holly Springs: Felony Promoting Prostitution – Profits
- Heather Ann Tuttle of Greensboro: Prostitution
- Joseph Richard McDowell of Greensboro: Felony Promoting Prostitution – Profits
- Kim Elizabeth Mattox of Greensboro: Prostitution
- Ternell Vaughn of High Point: Felony Promoting Prostitution – Profits
- Jessica Heather Willard of Burlington: Prostitution
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 8:38 AM with the headline "19 arrested in undercover human trafficking investigation, North Carolina sheriff says."
