Pimp Forces Prostitute To Chew Crystal Meth, Jailed For 30 Years

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A man was sentenced to 50 years, 30 years in jail without the chance for parole, Friday, for pimping and drug charges after being arrested in January of 2017, according to the Gwinnett County District Attorney's office.

Wendell Jermaine Gaither, 36, was convicted of two counts of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, two counts of pimping, trafficking in Methamphetamine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and several other charges after a four day trial, June 19 - 22.

In January 2017, four women were arrested for prostitution and drug charges leading to an investigation and eventually to Gaither's arrest for pimping.

When Gaither was arrested, he was driving a car belonging to one of the women. Police found a small duct-taped bag with approximately 13 grams of cocaine. A back pack was recovered in the driver’s seat that contained 333 MDMA pills, 126 grams of marijuana, 4 grams of cocaine and 46 Xanax pills. Gaither’s cell phone was also located next to the back pack.

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At trial, Assistant District Attorney Brandon Delfunt presented evidence that Gaither, also known as “World” on the street, set up multiple Back Page ads soliciting prostitution for numerous girls. In testimony by one of the women to the jury, she said she met Gaither shortly before Christmas 2016 and that she was homeless and
had nowhere to go.

She stated that Gaither offered her a place to stay and that he began to post ads on Backpage.com advertising her for sex. She testified that most days Gaither would have 5-6 men pay for sex with her. She testified that he would continuously give her Methamphetamine, Xanax, and Marijuana to keep her high and recounted a time when he forced her to chew and swallow crystal methamphetamine so she would stay awake to service more johns. She testified that she and at least three other girls were required to give Gaither all of their money they made from prostitution.

Special Agent Nathan Whiteman, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, testified about Human Trafficking and how traffickers operate, to include providing large amounts of controlled substances to the girls and taking all of their money.

Gaither testified at trial and claimed he knew nothing of the prostitution and that someone else was responsible for the drugs, even though the defendant’s personal items were recovered inside of the backpack containing the drugs. The jury found him guilty of all counts except for possession of a
firearm during the commission of a felony.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office