COLUMBUS, Ohio — Three Columbus residents were arrested following an investigation by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, according to a news release by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Tuesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Three Columbus residents were arrested following an investigation by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force

  • They were indicted on human trafficking related charges by a Franklin County grand jury on May 24

  • All three suspects were taken into custody by U.S. Marshals

  • Their felonies include: trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution, promoting prostitution, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor and pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor

“Human traffickers control their victims through fear, drugs and violence – chains that are broken when law enforcement makes a big arrest,” Yost said. “Our task forces are working hard to get traffickers off the streets and into jail.”

Ka-Auija’e “Unique” Washington, Levrous “Vell” Alfred and Patrice Bigord were indicted May 24 by a Franklin County grand jury on human trafficking-related charges. The U.S. Marshals Service took all three into custody Tuesday.  

Washington, 20, was charged with nine felony counts, including trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution, promoting prostitution, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor and pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor.

Alfred, 28, was indicted on three felony charges of trafficking in persons, promoting prostitution and compelling prostitution.

Bigord, 21, was indicted on one felony charge of compelling prostitution.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline, Crime Stoppers and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services sent tips to the task force. Multiple juvenile victims were identified during the investigation. 

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation or knowledge of additional victims of human trafficking is encouraged to contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6336) or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-3737-888 and request to be connected with a member of the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.  

Indictments are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.