An Antiguan businesswoman is facing up to 20 years in prison for human trafficking after becoming the first individual to be charged under the country’s recently-passed Trafficking in Persons Prevention Act.
Promoter Cheryl Thompson has been slapped with 49 charges after being accused of benefitting from the services of her 17 victims, who were allegedly sexually exploited.
Thompson, the owner of several stores and rental properties and a nightclub, is currently out of prison on EC0,000 (US$ 185,000) bail.
She has been ordered to report to the police three times a week.
A Magistrate has also advised her not to go within 100 feet of the home of the alleged victims in the wake of police concerns of witness tampering.
The woman was initially arrested earlier this month on two counts of human trafficking after one of her accusers complained to authorities that her passport was not being returned to her.
The charges later increased following police investigations and the discovery of 17 passports, all allegedly belonging to Jamaicans, at the promoter’s residence.
The prosecutor said Thompson could be fined up to EC0,000 (US8,000) or 20 years in prison or both if she is convicted.
Her trial is set for February 29, 2012.
(Source http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/antigua_news/518735.html#axzz1fsemr0ZE)
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