NC - Human trafficking victim escapes

Jacksonville police have charged a Hope Mills couple who they say kidnapped a woman and forced her to work as a prostitute.

Robin Applewhite, 36, and Samantha Rivard, 29, both of 3668 Applegate Road, were arrested Sunday after Jacksonville police responding to a complaint of possible prostitution at Baymont Inn & Suites found a woman who said she was forced to travel from Cumberland County to Jacksonville and was being held in sexual servitude.

Both face charges of human trafficking, felony conspiracy and numerous drug charges. Applewhite is also charged with first-degree kidnapping.

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During the victim's confinement over several days, Applewhite took her to hotels in Charlotte and Raleigh and forced her to perform sexual acts for money, the release said.

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"If you were to visit the house, look at the house, the average person would probably not be aware that any of this was going on at the home," said Police Chief Troy McDuffie.

Applewhite was arrested at 10 a.m. Wednesday at his home, where detectives said they found two other women in their 20s living in the basement. A handgun also was seized from the home.

"The basement was set up just like a living quarters," McDuffie said. "There were two rooms inside of the basement and there was a general area where they watched television."

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ClaireNC said:

Thanks Tulessa. I just came on to start a thread. I wonder if any of his victims have been reported as missing. At least one of them was held for several days.

http://www.fayobserver.com/news/cri...cle_47b1dacc-225c-5e05-aed9-628cba671698.html


Sounds like this might have been going on for a while: http://www.wral.com/spring-lake-man-charged-with-human-trafficking/14523900/

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SurfieTX said:

Not his first rodeo. From July of last year....




Read more at http://www.wral.com/hope-mills-couple-accused-of-forcing-prostitution/12692424/#4ZU4tM0T63QtcQZK.99

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A Spring Lake man accused of forcing a woman into prostitution spoke up at his bond hearing on Thursday, resulting in the judge increasing his bond to $1.5 million.

Robin Triovel Applewhite, 38, is charged with kidnapping, human trafficking and sexual servitude.

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