A man and a woman have been charged with sex trafficking after allegedly holding a teenage girl against her will.
Mark Johnson, 23, and Donnesha Ellis, 21, who were staying at The Strat Hotel in Las Vegas, were charged with kidnapping and holding the unnamed girl in their hotel room over four days. During that time, the teenage girl worked on the streets of Las Vegas, bringing the money back to Johnson.
Following the arrest of Johnson, Ellis, and Alissa Isles, 19, who was identified as Johnson’s girlfriend, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department interviewed the victim. They also gained access to her phone.
On the phone, police discovered text messages from the three suspects. One from Isles said that the unnamed girl and another girl should work on the “Trop,” referring to an area of West Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas that’s known for its prostitution.
you still need to bring back something, or don’t come back”
Isles also warned the victim “to be careful of undercover officers in the area.” Ellis is alleged to have texted the victim “you still need to bring back something, or don’t come back,” possibly meaning that the victim shouldn’t return to the hotel.
In total, the three suspects allegedly made $1,270. While the unnamed girl gave some money to Johnson, she’s believed to have kept some for herself.
Johnson and Ellis were charged with two counts each of sex trafficking of a minor under the age of 18, first-degree kidnapping of a minor, child abuse or neglect, and a single count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
It’s not known what charges Isles faces. The teenage girl wasn’t charged with crimes.
