Man faces human trafficking charge after Lucas County traffic stop

8/14/2013

A 21-year-old California man faces a human trafficking charge after authorities, during a Lucas County traffic stop, found two women who said they had been forced into prostitution.

James D. Jackson, 21, of Sacramento, faces felony charges in Maumee Municipal Court of human trafficking, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of criminal tools. He was arraigned by video on the charges today, and bond was set at $50,000.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers on Tuesday stopped a vehicle headed east on I-80 near milepost 57 for a speeding violation. During the stop, troopers smelled marijuana and conducted a probable cause search that revealed 20 grams of marijuana, a loaded handgun, and items associated with the sex trade, according to the state police.

Troopers spoke to two women passengers, a 21-year-old from California and a 25-year-old from Arizona, who said they had been forced into prostitution.

The suspect remained lodged at the Lucas County Jail this afternoon. His next court date is Thursday.