Police responding to the pleas of parents concerned about their 19-year-old daughter uncovered what authorities described as a prostitution ring being run out of a motel room in Anne Arundel County.
The parents had contacted police after receiving text message from the young woman that she was being held against her will. Police found the woman and concluded she was a willing participant, but that the people allegedly running the operation refused to return her to New Jersey, where she was from.
Authorities who went into the Linthicum room said they found the 19-year-old, along with three other adults. "Officers observed two, partially smoked marijuana blunts in the room," the police said.
"Further investigation revealed that the male suspect was controlling the prostitution operation and that he brought the females to the hotel for express purpose of prostitution," police said in a statement. "Additionally, the suspect was utilizing the internet and the website Backpage.com to solicit customers for the females."
Here's a list of suspects (shown from left to right in the mug shots above)
Edward N. Perkins, 26, of Jersey City, N.J., was charged with possession of marijuana, nine counts of human trafficking, three counts of profiting from prostitution business and prostitution by any means.
Nkosazana Zari Adebamgbe, 18, of Philadelphia, was charged with possession of marijuana.
Johnisha Ne-Cole Harris, 19, of Willingboro, N.J., was charged with possession of marijuana.
Brittni Crabill, 20, of Philadelphia was charged with possession of marijuana.