ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Two women are facing charges after they were accused of sex trafficking a teenager at St. Louis County's River City Casino, according to court records.
Angel Henderson of Florissant and Mack Mitchell of Memphis, Tennessee, are suspected of recruiting, harboring and transporting a 16-year-old to participate in "sexual performances with various 'Johns' at River City Casino," according to court records.
The St. Louis County Police Department did not share specific details on the investigation leading up to the arrest. Police expect the ongoing investigation to find there were more young victims involved.
Henderson is being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center on a $300,000, 10% cash-only bond.
Mitchell is not yet in custody, according to the St. Louis County Police Department.
The next court hearing for bond reduction for Henderson is March 4.
PENN Entertainment, the parent company of River City Casino, provided the following statement:
“At PENN Entertainment, parent company of River City Casino & Hotel, we take the issue of combatting human trafficking very seriously. Every front-of-house employee working at any PENN property, including River City, undergoes an extensive human trafficking training course, which outlines the prevalence of the problem, and it teaches our employees the signs and symptoms to look out for that may be indicative of human trafficking. While we can’t comment on the specifics of the case, it was one of our frontline team members who brought this matter to the attention of our security team and ultimately local police, and we are continuing to cooperate fully with their ongoing investigation.”
Stefanie Kaiser, Missouri's first commercial sexual exploitation of children coordinator at the Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, said she knows these are complex cases.
"One of the things that we want to stress is that women can be offenders, but it's hard for people to accept. For one reason you don't expect that," she said.
Kaiser said human trafficking and exploitation can happen anywhere.
"It wouldn't be a one victim-perpetrator type of experience. When talking about trafficking, it's generally a web of people," Kaiser said.
That's why the center supports Missouri House Bill 1706, proposed legislation that would make penalties more strict for people who pay for sex and make it a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
"The research shows in buy reduction type of operations, (when) asking buyers what would it take to reduce this, jail time would greatly reduce that. Some studies show this is one way to reduce that," Kaiser said.
Kaiser said she believed everyone can also do their part and said if you see something, say something.
For immediate help call the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888) 373-7888. For the Deaf Crisis Line videophone call 321-800-3323 or text HAND to 839863.
This is a developing story. This article will be updated with the latest information as it is released.
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