Calif. man arrested after traffic stop

2 women tell troopers they were forced into prostitution

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 Wednesday, 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.

Troopers said that during the stop, they smelled marijuana and conducted a probable-cause search during which they discovered 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 at the Lucas County Jail Wednesday. His next court date is today.