News Releases

Two Suspects Charged with Human Trafficking; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 9, 2016

In late March of 2016, the Montgomery County Police Department became aware of a possible case of human trafficking occurring in Montgomery County.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – Vice and Intelligence Section interviewed a 15-year-old female, who stated that she met Atuan Saran Rogers, age 34, and Dierra Victoria Lee Thomas, age 19, both of the 100 block of Lamarck Drive in Fort Washington, Maryland, in October of 2015.  The victim stated that “Ire”, identified by detectives as Thomas, had approached her in a hotel in Silver Spring and asked her if she “wanted to work”.  Thomas introduced the victim to “Rose Moe”, identified by detectives as Rogers, who told the victim that she would receive money for having sexual intercourse with men.

The victim explained to investigators that Rogers advertised her services in an escort section of a classified advertising website.  The victim also told detectives that Rogers denied her access to a phone and money and hit her when she told him that she no longer wanted to work for him.

Detectives were able to confirm that Rogers rented rooms at a hotel on 13^th Street in Silver Spring from January 10 through January 27 of this year.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Rogers on May 12 charging him with human trafficking and prostitution offenses.  Rogers was arrested on the strength of the Montgomery County warrant by the Prince George’s County Police Department on July 29.  He is being held in the Montgomery County Detention Center on an $80,000 bond.

On June 10, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Thomas charging her with prostitution offenses and one count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking.  Thomas was arrested on the strength of the Montgomery County warrant by the Prince George’s County Police Department on July 11. She was released on a $5,000 bond.

Detectives are concerned that Rogers and Thomas engaged in human trafficking of additional juveniles.  Investigators are urging anyone who has information about human trafficking activities involving these suspects to contact the Vice and Intelligence Section at 240-773-5959.

RLG

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Release ID: 16-196
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases