Woman in East Alabama Arrested for Allegedly Trafficking Victim to Gang Members

A Columbus woman, Marlaciea Matthews, is facing charges of human trafficking after allegedly forcing a woman to have sex for money. Deazaiah Johnson, 18, was also arrested for obstructing the investigation. The victim reported being coerced and abused into sex with gang members. The investigation began when detectives noticed an ad on a prostitution website featuring the victim’s nude photos offering sexual services for a fee.

When undercover detectives arranged to meet the woman at a motel, they were met by Johnson, Matthews, and the victim in a vehicle. Johnson initially provided false identification. A search of the vehicle revealed a firearm and drugs. Messages on the victim’s phone indicated Matthews was tracking her activities and posting prostitution ads. The victim reported being threatened by someone named “Nessa” to work for Matthews and experienced physical abuse.

The victim’s child was found with friends of Matthews in Columbus, Georgia. Johnson was charged with obstructing by providing false identity, and Matthews was charged with first-degree trafficking based on the evidence found in the victim’s phone and the presence of a loaded firearm in the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing to gather more evidence and potentially identify other individuals involved in the human trafficking operation.

The victim reported multiple instances of abuse and coercion by Matthews and another individual named “Nessa.” Detectives found evidence on the victim’s phone indicating Matthews was monitoring her activities and tracking her location. The victim’s child was located in Columbus, Georgia, under the care of Matthews’ friends. Johnson’s false identification hindered the investigation, leading to her arrest for obstruction of justice.

The investigation began with detectives monitoring a prostitution website and setting up a meeting with the woman, later identified as the victim, at a motel. Johnson and Matthews were with the victim in a vehicle, where a loaded firearm and drugs were found. Text messages on the victim’s phone revealed Matthews’ involvement in tracking her activities and arranging prostitution ads. Matthews was charged with first-degree trafficking based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.

The arrests of Matthews and Johnson are just the beginning of the investigation into a human trafficking operation in the area. The involvement of multiple individuals, including gang members, highlights the complexity of the case. The victim’s testimony and the evidence found in her phone are crucial in building a case against Matthews and potentially other individuals involved in the operation. Ongoing efforts are being made to gather more evidence and ensure justice for the victim and others impacted by human trafficking in the community.