ST. PAUL, Minn. - Five adults have been charged in connection with a multi-state sex trafficking ring with at least five victims ranging in age from 16 to 24 years old.
The Ramsey County Attorney's Office charged 25-year-old Thomas William Evans, 21-year-old Ishmel Jamaine Williams, 19-year-old Suwan Dominique Cross, 38-year-old Doris Marie Keller and 28-year-old Yolanda Katrice Foster. All suspects are from St. Paul, with the exception of Cross, who is from West St. Paul.
They were each charged with several counts of engaging in sex trafficking, both first- and second-degree, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
According to the charges, St. Paul Police attempted to rescue a 17-year-old girl who was listed on backpage.com as "Ms. Juicy" at a residence on the 900 block of Cook Street.
All five of the suspects were around the home but denied knowing anything about a sex trafficking scheme.
The teen victim was removed and a search warrant was executed at the home.
Several Vanilla Visa gift cards and cell phones were found, which police say are "known tools" of sex trafficking operations.
A subpoena of backpage.com revealed several of the credit cards were used to purchase ads for girls involved in the trafficking ring in multiple states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Georgia. Many ads were posted with Evans' email address.
One victim told police she was recruited in Fort Worth, Texas by Evans and Keller, who told her she would have a better life, including a car and a house if she would work for them. When she arrived in Minnesota, ads were posted and she was directed to perform sexual services for money to men who responded to the ads, at an area hotel room.
She told police the operation eventually moved to two St. Paul homes, including one owned by Evans' mother.
Another victim told police she answered calls for sex for more than a month from August to September of last year. She said she was required to have sex with approximately seven "johns" per day, making about $400-$500 per day. She turned all the money over to Evans.
Four of the five defendants will make their first appearance in court on Wednesday.
