South Carolina couple, AJ Simmons, Brittany Taylor face 20 charges of human trafficking of children as young as 12
A South Carolina couple are now facing federal sex trafficking charges after they attempted to recrui two minors for prostitution.
Ashford J. Simmons, nicknamed “AJ” is age 27, and Brittany Smith, 22, face 12 federal sex trafficking of minors charges and transporting them across the state line to North Carolina for prostitution. Simmons is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.
Brittany Smith
Court records show the case has been ongoing for more than a year, with the first set of documents filed in September of last year. The latest indictment, returned Wednesday, says Simmons and Smith would recruit minors and young women to work for them as prostitutes, and split their earnings.
The two girls, identified as “Minor One” and “Minor Two,” were taken to North Carolina for prostitution and a a third woman, identified solely as “S.H.” was told by Smith in online ads that she’d be given drugs “when you make some $$$.”
Smith also allegedly told S.H. where to meet a client for sex and on a different date to come over for more condoms.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security. It will be prosecuted in Greenville.
Their next hearing on the indictment is set for Nov. 28.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
Photo/Sawso.org
