Sulphur police: Three from Texas arrested on charges of human trafficking

Deaundrell Johnson (Source: Sulphur Police Department)

SULPHUR, LA (KPLC) - Three Texas residents have been arrested on charges of human trafficking in Sulphur, law enforcement officials said.

The group was bringing females, including juveniles, from Texas to Southwest Louisiana for the purpose of sexual exploitation, Sulphur Police Department spokesman Mel Estess said in a news release.

Houston residents Keiarra Mechae Peterson, 23,and Deaundrell Antoine Johnson, 23, were booked into the Suphur City Jail on a charge of human trafficking. Judge David Ritchie set bond at $250,000.

The alleged leader of the group, Fredrick Brent Gentry, 30, of Fort Bend, Texas, was booked into the Sulphur City Jail on charges of human trafficking, MDMA possession and distribution, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and drug use in the presence of a minor. Ritchie set bond at $360,000

The Sulphur Police Department began investigating on Aug. 25 following a report of a female juvenile who needed help at a local hotel, Estess said. Detectives learned that the three were attempting to push the girl into prostitution. Further investigation led authorities to another hotel, where Peterson, Johnson and Gentry had brought three women, including juveniles, from Texas for the purpose of prostitution, Estess said.

A female juvenile was arrested for prostitution and resisting arrest.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending, Estess said.