NHSO: Several arrested on drugs and human trafficking charges

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Several people were arrested after multiple undercover prostitution stings and drug investigations over the last two months. New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office says now seven people are facing human trafficking and drug charges.

On January 17, an undercover prostitution sting at a hotel located at 2657 Carolina Beach Road. Detectives made contact with a woman and found she was a victim of human trafficking. Detectives charged Jamaal Roberts, 32, after the investigation showed he was maintaining a hotel room with the victim, setting her dates up and keeping her money.

Roberts was charged with promotion of prostitution, aid and abet prostitution, sexual servitude, resisting arrest, human trafficking, possession of firearm by a convicted felon and served with two fugitive warrants out of NY.

On January 24, an undercover prostitution sting at a hotel located at 1200 Culbreth Drive. Detectives arranged a meeting with a woman that posted an ad on backpage. The woman allegedly solicited the undercover officer, and she was taken into custody. It was discovered she was an underage victim of human trafficking and maintained the room with Marvarlus Snead, 31, and Ashanti McLean, 26.

Snead was charged with human trafficking a child victim, promote and advance prostitution of a minor, promote prostitution of a minor by profiting and also served with 12 outstanding warrants from Johnston County. McLean was charged with human trafficking a child victim and promotion of prostitution of a minor. Snead is in jail under a $460,000 secure bond. McLean is in jail under a $270,000 secure bond.

On February 14, detectives conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Rachel Williams, 34, then arrested her in the 2600 block of Carolina Beach Road. Detectives discovered she was staying at a hotel located at 2657 Carolina Beach Road with Charles Brown, 42, and Angela Beck, 47. Detectives conducted a search warrant and found 39 bags of heroin, .37 grams of cocaine and other paraphernalia related items.

Williams was charged with sell/deliver heroin, PWIMSD heroin and served with 2 warrants from Pender County and 1 warrant from New Hanover County. Brown was charged with PWIMSD heroin, manufacture schedule I CS, maintain dwelling, possession of cocaine, PDP and served with absconding probation charges. Beck was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Rachel Williams is in jail under a $39,000 secure bond. Charles Brown is in jail under a $50,000 secure bond. Angela Beck is in jail under a $18,200 secure bond.

On February 20, detectives received information that Othello York was staying at a hotel located at 245 Eastwood Rd and in possession of multiple types of illegal drugs. Detectives conducted an investigation and executed a search warrant on his hotel room. Detectives arrested York, 46, and found 63 bags of heroin, 8 grams of raw unpackaged heroin, 32 grams of meth, 7 grams of cocaine, and 5 grams of crack cocaine.

York was charged with numerous drug violations including trafficking heroin, trafficking meth, possession with intent to sell cocaine, and possession with intent to sell crack cocaine. York is in jail under a $1,000,000 secure bond.