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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?
What happened
Alarcon Allen Wiggins, 43, was arrested on October 12, 2011, along with nine other Baltimore residents, who are charged with one count of transportation for prostitution and one count of coercion and enticement. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in El Paso on October 5, 2011 alleges that since December 2009, the defendants, aided and abetted by one another, knowingly transported individuals in interstate commerce, as well as enticed individuals to travel in interstate commerce, to engage in prostitution. Information provided during the detention hearings in federal court in Baltimore revealed that the defendants, as directed by Wiggins, recruited and transported several females to El Paso and other locations in order to engage in prostitution. In addition, the defendants confiscated all of the proceeds from the prostitution activities as well all identification documents and personal communication devices, namely cell phones and laptop computers, in order to keep their victims from fleeing or seeking help. Other defendants arrested include: 20-year-old DeAngelo Perry Smith (aka “D-Lo“); 23-year-old Deyonta Thompson (aka “Wezz Fresh“); 18-year-old Marc Corey Williams (aka “DJ Yung Rock,” and “J-Rock“); 28-year-old Martes Milton Jackson (aka “Tuesday“); 25-year-old Shelby Nicole Smith (aka “Bebe“); 30-year-old Roxanne Michelle Mitchell (aka “Nakira,” “Foxy,” “Roxy,” “Mama,” and “Cherish“); 26-year-old Amanda Gayle Darbonne (aka “Kristale,” and “Kristal“); 24-year-old Holly N. Reemer (aka “Amira“); and, 22-year-old Brandi L. Minnich (aka “Natasha“). Wiggins has an extensive arrest record in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, records show. He's been convicted three times since 1994 of misdemeanor theft and twice of drug possession, including marijuana. His longest stint in jail was 90 days, court records show. As of November 17, 2011, seven of 10 members of the El Paso ring that authorities say forced women into prostitution will be re-arraigned after a grand jury returned a superseding indictment in the case. The accused ringleader, Alarcon Wiggins, 43, and nine others are charged with sex trafficking induced by force, fraud or coercion and conspiracy to transport for prostitution. One of them has already been re-arraigned and two others remain in Baltimore. Authorities say Wiggins, a self-proclaimed recording artist, used his ties to the music industry to entice women to move to El Paso and then forced them into prostitution. The indictment alleges the defendants took the women's earnings, documents and cell phones so they couldn't seek help.
Response and intervention
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Baltimore Police Department SWAT team assisted in making the arrests. Assistant United States Attorney J. Brandy Gardes and Daniel Crumby are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. As of November 2, 2011, the defendants were in federal custody and awaiting transfer to the Western District of Texas. Upon conviction of the transportation and coercion charges, the defendants face up to ten years and 20 years in federal prison, respectively. Neither the statement from the U.S. attorney's office nor the indictment details how the women were brought into the alleged ring. Officials also would not disclose how many women are involved or how they were treated. No aftercare was reported. In the indictment, prosecutors said they are seeking to seize a 2003 red Chevrolet Trailblazer and a white 1998 Dodge Ram van, along with $1 million in proceeds.