HOUSTON, Texas – Law enforcement officers used high technology software to identify a runaway underage teen forced into prostitution.
Harris County Precinct Four Constable’s deputies used software to match an advertisement for sex on an online website to a database of runaway teens. The investigators routinely monitor the online advertising in search of underage teens forced into sexual slavery and prostitution. In this case, detectives found an out-of-state female minor being advertised online for sexual services at a motel on Houston’s north side, according to information provided to Breitbart Texas by Constable Mark Herman’s office.
Investigators made contact with the teen and set up a “date” at the North Villa Inn which is located on I-45, just north of Houston.
After arriving at the hotel, investigators took the underage girl into custody. During an interview, detectives learned that two individuals forced the juvenile into prostitution after one of them allegedly trafficked her to Houston from another state. She identified her captors as Teresa Henry and Centurrie Garrett (shown in photos above). She told detectives Henry trafficked her from out of state and both suspects had compelled her into prostitution.
The detectives located and arrested Henry and Garrett and charged them with Compelling Prostitution of a Minor. Henry also faces a First Degree Felony charge of Human Trafficking of a Minor, officials stated.
Court records obtained by Breitbart Texas revealed Henry served a 30-day sentence earlier this year on a conviction for misdemeanor theft. Records also indicate that Garrett received two 30-day jail sentences in 2013. The sentences followed convictions of misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor prostitution where she agreed to oral sex with an undercover officer for a fee, the criminal complaint stated.
Constable Herman’s detectives continuously utilize high technology applications to identify sex trafficking victims, human trafficking, child pornographers, and people using social media to solicit underage minors for sex.
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Facebook.