Columbia Man, Cohort Charged With Human Trafficking In Linthicum

LINTHICUM, MD — Two men have been arrested on charges of human trafficking after undercover detectives discovered they had been holding a woman against her will and forcing her to engage in prostitution, Anne Arundel County Police say.

Vice unit detectives discovered a prostitution advertisement on a website known for facilitating prostitution and human trafficking. When police went to the hotel advertised in the 1300 block of Winterson Road in Linthicum, an undercover detective was invited to participate in a sex act from a woman in exchange for money. At the same time, two men, later identified as Saeed Ebrahimnejad, 34, of Columbia, and Benjamin Wagner, 44, of Windsor Mill, were seen leaving the hotel in a vehicle.

Not only did detectives learn that the woman had been held against her will and forced to prostitute herself, but Ebraimnejad also had assaulted the victim several times. When detectives located and arrested Ebrahimnejad and Wagner, both men were in possession of crack cocaine (total weight of 22.81 grams), according to a police report.

According to charging documents for Ebrahimnejad, when he met the victim, he promised to care for her, but soon posted advertisements with sexually suggestive photos of her that encouraged potential clients to contact him. Within a month, he became violent, documents show, beating and raping her. He supplied her with crack cocaine so she would stay awake and see more clients. Detectives noticed the woman was covered in cigarette burns, was missing hair Ebrahimnejad had pulled out and had been threatened with a gun the man owned.

Police documents also show that Wagner, who was homeless, was tasked with keeping an eye on the victim to make sure she didn't leave the hotel room. He also obtained the drugs to keep the woman awake.

A search warrant executed at the hotel room turned up evidence including a handgun registered to Ebrahimnejad. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment and provided with shelter resources and other services.

Ebrahimnejad has been charged with the following:

• Human trafficking-force (2 counts)
• Human trafficking – compensation
• Human trafficking-benefit financial
• Rape second degree
• Assault- first degree
• Sodomy
• CDS: Possession-not marijuana

Wagner has been charged with the following:

• Human trafficking-force (2 counts)
• Human trafficking – compensation
• Human trafficking-benefit financial
• Rape second degree
• Human trafficking-conspiracy/aid/abet
• Sodomy
• CDS: Possess-not marijuana

In a separate investigation, Anne Arundel County Police adiscovered Harold Carlton Hamilton, 57, of Upper Marlboro, in Brooklyn Park trying to entice women to engage in prostitution. He was arrested and charged with the following:

• Prostitution-Business
• Human Trafficking-Entice
• Human Trafficking-Induce
• Human Trafficking-Encourage by Promise