GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) – An Upstate man and woman are facing federal sex trafficking charges after they were accused of recruiting two minors for prostitution.
The State newspaper reports 27-year-old Ashford J. Simmons and 22-year-old Brittany Smith are facing 12 federal counts relating to the sex trafficking of minors and transporting them across state lines to North Carolina for prostitution.
Court records show the case has been ongoing for more than a year. The latest indictment, returned Wednesday, says Simmons and Smith would recruit minors and young women to work for them as prostitutes, and split their earnings.
Both are facing life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. It is unclear whether either suspect has an attorney.
