ATLANTA — Eight gang members were arrested after a 16-year-old girl escaped a Georgia sex-trafficking ring, investigators said.
The girl escaped in August 2019 and reported the abuse to authorities, initiating a more than year-long investigation, WSB-TV reported.
The victim was advertised as an adult by the Inglewood Family Gang, a sect of the national criminal gang the Bloods. Gang members would make arrangements for the victim to have sex with numerous men over a two-month time frame from June to August 2019. The arrangements were known as “plays,” and would occur in hotels, motels and vehicles throughout Albany, Georgia. Proceeds from the trafficking funded the gang and its other illegal activities, investigators said.
The victim was able to escape by running away from her captors.
Eight people were arrested on various charges including violation of street gang terrorism and prevention act and the RICO act.
“The damages of Human Trafficking are difficult to repair and these young victims need plenty of assistance in getting their lives back while regaining their self-esteem,” Albany police Chief Michael Persley, said in a statement. “I will continue to pledge my support in fighting Human Trafficking while using all resources available to bring to justice those who prey on other human beings for the sole purpose of financial gain. I am thankful for Director Reynolds and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for their efforts in combating this detestable and devaluing crime.”
Our agency has been dedicated to fight against the havoc that criminal street gangs wreak in our state. In this case, evidence of a child sex trafficking ring came to light.
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) November 24, 2020
We will continue to work with our partners to end this evil in our great state. https://t.co/0GnD8r2b95 pic.twitter.com/jKi0dxRKGG
Cox Media Group