Man accused of kidnapping, forcing girls into prostitution
Man accused of kidnapping, forcing girls into prostitution
POSTED 12:04 PM, NOVEMBER 12, 2019, BY ERYN TAYLOR AND SHAY ARTHUR, UPDATED AT 07:13PM, NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Man accused of kidnapping teens, forcing them into prostitution
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man was arrested this week after police say he kidnapped two teenage girls and then forced them into prostitution.
Darrell Hampton, 30, was charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, trafficking for commercial sex acts, promoting prostitution and aggravated statutory rape.
The 17-year-old victim told police it began Nov. 8 when she was walking down the street, and Hampton forced her into his vehicle in the 2800 block of Lamar Avenue. He then drove to a local hotel and raped her, she said.
For the next several days, the teen and an 18-year-old that was already with Hampton were reportedly forced to work as prostitutes. Hampton also allegedly fired shots at the victims, told them they were not free to leave, told them he would take them to Atlanta to work and even told the 18-year-old he would kill her grandmother if she didn't cooperate.
On Nov. 11, the 17-year-old was able to get a phone inside a hotel in the 4800 block of American Way in Parkway Village and called her family for help. Police found Hampton at the hotel with the two teenagers.
Police didn't say how long they believe the other victim was with Hampton before she was rescued.
Rachel Haaga, executive director of Restore Corps, works to empower those who have been sex trafficked and has a mission to change systems of injustice.
"How can we also really stem the tide of pointing the focus on the demand side that creates the commercial sex industry in our community," Haaga said.
She said by the end of the September, her nonprofit intervened with more than 100 human trafficking victims this year.
Restore Corps works to equip communities by educating families about what to look for and how to be resilient.
"The biggest thing you can do is continue to fight," Haaga said.
Hampton is in jail on a more than $1 million bond.
