17 arrested in Lowndes Co. trafficking sweep

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17 arrested in Lowndes Co. trafficking sweep



https://www.walb.com/2021/08/16/17-arre ... king-sweep


Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk reported Monday that his office responded to complaints of suspected human trafficking and drug distribution in the area.

Paulk said that investigators with the Special Operations Division conducted an investigation last week to identify those involved in the criminal activity. The investigation revealed that drug distributors were supplying narcotics to people offering sexual services for financial gain, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies also seized several firearms during the course of the operation that were found in possession of the suspects, as well as drugs and related items.

Investigators were able to link one of the suspected human trafficking victims to Mexican Cartel associates, who were found be financially extorting money from patrons seeking sexual services, threatening to harm them and their families if they were not paid.

Seventeen suspects were identified as perpetrating crimes listed below, and were arrested:

Benjamin Godwin; Trafficking in cocaine, possession of tools commission of a crime, possession of marijuana, warrants out of Hillsborough County, Fla. for trafficking and delivery of cocaine, and Pierce County
Jennifer Duncan; Possession of cocaine, Possession of methamphetamine, Prostitution
Christian Tucker; Possession of Cocaine and Pimping
Daniel Joshua Smith; Pandering
Justin Deshawn Peterson; Criminal Attempt to Sell Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine With the Intent to Distribute, Use of Communications Device to Facilitate a Drug Transaction.
Brian James Degler; Pandering, recovered firearms
Martieze Antwane Stewart ; Pandering
Christopher Davis Penn; Pandering
Stanley Edward White; Pandering
Robert F. DeBerry; Pandering, recovered firearms
Corey B Clines; Pandering
Grayson Jarrett Goss; Pandering
Timothy Eugene Cannington; Pandering, recovered firearms
Shakino Takeua Olds; Prostitution
Aleisha Quiana Covington; Prostitution
Freddie Bernard Buckholts; Pandering
Willie Lester; Pandering
“We know that persons engaged in sexual services are often abused, and some forced into servitude to do so, with many being assaulted by patrons of their services. We will continue to investigate crimes related to the acts described above and encourage citizens to continue to forward information associated with these crimes and others, in order to pursue those responsible for criminal acts,” the sheriff said.