3 arrested after teen rescued from prostitution on Thanksgiving Day
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Three people accused of trafficking a teen for prostitution have been charged.
Authorities say a 17-year-old was rescued from the Express Inn near the North Freeway on Thanksgiving day after being forced into prostitution.
The victim was identified as a runaway from La Grange, Texas. According to reports the teen thought she was in a dating relationship with a person named Hanes.
Hanes reportedly told the teenager he would take care of her and convinced her to run away.
The victim told deputies that she was forced to take pictures in lingerie while her alleged traffickers posted them to a social site known as Backpage.
Authorities say they received reports that a gun was held to the victim's head to make her commit to prostitution.
Deputies arrested three suspects. Jaimian Sims, 25, was charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution and unlawful possession of a firearm. Kendra Kimball, 23, was charged with compelling prostitution of a minor. Tevin Brown, 25, was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Authorities recovered $6,467 in cash and 0.5 ounces in marijuana.
Sims was given a $75,000 bond and Kimball was given a 10,000 bond. The third suspect was not in court.
Authorities say the teenager was released into the custody of her mother and grandmother, and she returned to La Grange.
