By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
Brooklyn police have arrested members of the street gang, "The Bloods" and charged them with sex trafficking involving teen-aged girls they turned into prostitutes.
The victims were allegedly recruited from local Junior High and High schools, according to police.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes announced the indictment of eight men alleged to be members of "The Bloods."
All have been hit with sex trafficking and assault charges.
The alleged ringleader, Abking Wilcox, of the Bloods, who along with members of the "Horse Gang," are charged with forcing girls into prostitution in Bushwick, Brownsville and East New York.
According to an article on wcbstv.com prosecutors say street gangs, who are now operating like organized crime, realizing there is big money in drugs and prostitution, were forcing the frightened young prostitutes to come up with a quota of $500 a day.
Investigators said the suspects used online web sites like Craigslist and Backlist.com to solicit some of their customers.
Assistant D.A. Lauren Hersh told CBS 2 that if the girls did not meet their quota, "they were beaten, prevented from eating, locked within their apartments, and other forms of mistreatment."
Investigators say the alleged sex acts took place in cars, apartments, and hotels, including one on East New York Avenue where the owner told CBS 2 by phone he knew nothing about it. While some of the girls went home at night, they were still fearful for their lives if they didn't return.
"Can you imagine the trauma of a 15, 16-year-old forced into prostitution?" Hynes asked Wednesday. The victims who could be located are now being offered counseling.
"It's particularly important that when we get a pimp, and we get them right, that we throw away the key," said Hynes. "Sex trafficking," Hynes added, "is not only international. It's happening close to home, right here in Brooklyn."
The district attorney's office is hoping other victims will come forward to deal with prosecutors in the new sex trafficking unit.
Media Outlets must credit
The Black Urban Times
The victims were allegedly recruited from local Junior High and High schools, according to police.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes announced the indictment of eight men alleged to be members of "The Bloods."
All have been hit with sex trafficking and assault charges.
The alleged ringleader, Abking Wilcox, of the Bloods, who along with members of the "Horse Gang," are charged with forcing girls into prostitution in Bushwick, Brownsville and East New York.
According to an article on wcbstv.com prosecutors say street gangs, who are now operating like organized crime, realizing there is big money in drugs and prostitution, were forcing the frightened young prostitutes to come up with a quota of $500 a day.
Investigators said the suspects used online web sites like Craigslist and Backlist.com to solicit some of their customers.
Assistant D.A. Lauren Hersh told CBS 2 that if the girls did not meet their quota, "they were beaten, prevented from eating, locked within their apartments, and other forms of mistreatment."
Investigators say the alleged sex acts took place in cars, apartments, and hotels, including one on East New York Avenue where the owner told CBS 2 by phone he knew nothing about it. While some of the girls went home at night, they were still fearful for their lives if they didn't return.
"Can you imagine the trauma of a 15, 16-year-old forced into prostitution?" Hynes asked Wednesday. The victims who could be located are now being offered counseling.
"It's particularly important that when we get a pimp, and we get them right, that we throw away the key," said Hynes. "Sex trafficking," Hynes added, "is not only international. It's happening close to home, right here in Brooklyn."
The district attorney's office is hoping other victims will come forward to deal with prosecutors in the new sex trafficking unit.
Media Outlets must credit
The Black Urban Times
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