Human Trafficking Uncovered by Truck Stop Call: Police

Three people are charged with human trafficking after police uncovered an alleged prostitution ring in which women were assaulted and drugged to perform sex acts for money without sleep.

The following have been charged with multiple counts of human trafficking and prostitution, according to the Howard County Police Department:

• Donald M. Williams, 41, of the 300 block of South Stricker Street in Baltimore
• Tiffany N. Lowery, 30, of the 1400 block of Carroll Street in Baltimore
• Rashon T. Pratt, 27, of the 1300 block of Sayres Avenue in Camden, N.J.

Police allege the trio is responsible for a series of posts on Backpage.com advertising women under the name “X-Factor.”

Vice detectives began investigating these posts in September upon noticing the similarity in the advertisements, police said.

When responding to a call about suspected prostitution at the Travel Center of America stuck stop in Jessup, the detectives recognized one of the women from an “X-Factor” ad, according to police.

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• Three Charged with Human Trafficking in Howard County

Further investigation led police to identify Williams, Lowery and Pratt as the suspects responsible for posting the Backpage.com “X-Factor” advertisements; renting hotel rooms and setting up appointments for the purpose of prostitution; and taking money from women forced to perform sex acts with various men, police reported.

“Detectives also learned the suspects were providing drugs to keep the [women] high, forcing them to work without allowing them to sleep, assaulting them and engaging in forced sexual activity with them under threat,” according to a statement from the Howard County Police Department.

Police said six women associated with the operation were found in a Baltimore hotel, all of whom were offered assistance and safe housing alternatives. They were in their 20s or 30s and said there were others who had recently left the area, according to the report from police.

Williams is being held on $500,000 bond at the Howard County Detention Center, where Pratt is also being held on $200,000 bond. Police said Lowery was released on $250,000 bail.

Pictured, left to right, are Rashon T. Pratt, Tiffany N. Lowery and Donald M. Williams. Photo Credit: Howard County Police Department.