Hotel Uncovers Suspected Human Trafficking: HoCo Police

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – A tip from hotel staff in Ellicott City led to the arrest of a man suspected of trafficking a woman from New York for the purposes of prostitution, according to the Howard County Police Department.

Berris Munroe, 39, of the 100 block of Rolling Road in Elkton, is charged with three counts of human trafficking (causing a person to be someplace for prostitution, benefitting financially, putting another in a house of prostitution), two counts of prostitution and disorderly conduct, court records show.

Officials came into contact with Munroe after staff at an hotel in Ellicott City notified police of suspected prostitution on the premises.

Detectives investigated and found Munroe in a room with the 21-year-old victim, whom he allegedly transported from New York and advertised on Backpage.com for the purposes of prostitution. Police said after he arranged for her to meet with numerous men for sex, he would take money from her.

Munroe was arrested Saturday and released Sunday, according to court records. Police said he was let go on $15,000 bond.

Officials reported they helped connect the victim with advocacy services to help her return to New York.

“We will not tolerate human trafficking in Howard County,” Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner said in a statement. “The police department will continue to devote resources to arresting traffickers and doing all we can to help and protect victims.”

Anyone with information about human trafficking in Howard County is asked to call 410-313-STOP or email HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

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Pictured, Berrie Munroe. Photo Credit: Howard County Police Department.