A 33-year-old Dallas man, Damonte Baty, has been arrested on charges of human trafficking after a traffic stop in Midland County led to the rescue of two women. The arrest occurred on April 4, when deputies with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding a “rolling disturbance” on Rankin Highway. Deputies stopped a vehicle driven by Baty, who was found to be driving without a valid license.
During the roadside investigation, officers found condoms, “bulk US currency,” and two women inside the vehicle. One of the women, identified as Victim #1, had visible injuries to her arm and told investigators that Baty had forced her into prostitution, taking all the money she earned, leaving her without enough for food. The woman expressed fear of Baty, and text messages between the two confirmed the hostile nature of their relationship.
The second woman, identified as Victim #2, refused to speak to authorities, but investigators learned that Baty had driven the women from Dallas to Odessa and coerced them into sex acts for money by using drugs and threats of violence. Although Baty claimed to only act as a “pimp” and said he took a portion of the earnings, electronic records revealed that all the money from prostitution went directly to him.
Baty was arrested and booked into the Midland County Detention Center, where he remains on a $500,000 bond.
