Two people have been arrested on sex trafficking charges after a teenage girl was held against her will for four days at The Strat hotel in Las Vegas. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
A man and a woman have been charged with sex trafficking after they held a teenage girl against her will.
Mark Johnson, 23, and Donisha Ellis, 21, who were staying at The Strat Hotel in Las Vegas, are accused of kidnapping the girl and holding her captive in their hotel room over four days. During that time, the teenager worked on the streets of Las Vegas, bringing money back to Johnson.
After the arrest of Johnson, Ellis and Alyssa Ellis, 19, who was identified as Johnson’s girlfriend, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department interviewed the victim. They also had access to her phone.
Police found text messages from the three suspects on the phone. One of Ailes said the unnamed girl and another girl should work at “Trop,” referring to an area on West Tropicana Street in Las Vegas known for prostitution.
You still need to return something, or don’t come back.”
Ailes also warned the victim to “be careful of undercover officers in the area.” Ellis allegedly texted the victim “you still need to return something, or don’t come back,” possibly meaning the victim should not return to the hotel.
In total, the three suspects allegedly received $1,270. While the unnamed girl gave some of the money to Johnson, it is believed she kept some of the money for herself.
Johnson and Ellis were charged with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor under 18, first-degree kidnapping of a minor, child abuse or neglect, and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
It is not known what charges the islands face. The teenage girl was not accused of crimes.