Human Trafficking Charges Filed Against Woman In Laurel: Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Police said an investigation at a hotel in Laurel this week resulted in a New York woman being charged with human trafficking and related offenses. A tip through the National Human Trafficking Tip Line prompted the police to get involved.

Wenbo Wang, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with human trafficking, prostitution and possession of drugs other than marijuana.

Police said that someone provided a tip to the National Human Trafficking Hotline that led detectives to a hotel in the 9700 block of Washington Boulevard on Friday, Jan. 25.

While they were there, officers said Wang arrived with a woman they thought may be a victim.

Based on their investigation, detectives reported that Wang had been posting online prostitution ads featuring a number of women, had set up appointments for them to meet people for sex and had been collecting a portion of the money they received for sex acts.

Wang is being held at the Howard County Detention Center with bail set at $500,000, according to court records. She has a tentative trial date set for March 27 in Howard County District Court.

Police said that the person they believed was a victim was offered services.

"Howard County is continuing its efforts to combat human trafficking," the Howard County Police Department said in a statement following the arrest. "Investigators are focused on arresting traffickers and offering assistance to victims through treatment, housing, transportation and other help."

Anyone with information, including those who may have been a victim of Wang's or who may know her by another name, is asked to contact Howard County police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

The arrest in Laurel came a little more than a week after the Howard County Police Department conducted a prostitution sting at another Laurel hotel less than 1.5 miles down the road, in the 10100 block of Washington Boulevard.

Anyone who is concerned about human trafficking activity can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 with tips.

Photo of Wenbo Wang courtesy of the Howard County Police Department.