Wilmington, N.C. (WECT) — A human trafficking operation, originally based in New York City, has culminated in Wilmington, with five individuals facing serious charges. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has charged the following individuals with involvement in the trafficking ring:
Layquan Highsmith, 30, Brooklyn, NY
Ronasia Robinson, 31, Troy, NY
Tyshawn Crawford, 29, Brooklyn, NY
Richard Baker, 45, Brooklyn, NY
Eyecess Chapman, 24, Brooklyn, NY
In October, a 19-year-old girl was approached at a concert in Times Square by Highsmith, who allegedly pulled a gun, forced her into a car, and took her to an apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. There, she was coerced into engaging in sexual acts for money.
After several days, Highsmith and Robinson transported the victim to North Carolina, where she was forced into prostitution across several cities, including Wilmington.
Chelsea Croom, Program Director for the Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons, noted that traffickers often transport their victims to different cities to avoid detection. Wilmington, with its major highways and tourism industry, can be a prime location for traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals.
The victim, in distress and feeling trapped, made a 911 call from the Red Roof Inn on Market Street in Wilmington on November 6, 2024. In her call, she reported suicidal thoughts and later disclosed the full extent of her abuse to police. Authorities helped her get to the hospital.
Croom explained the psychological impact of human trafficking, stating that victims often suffer from substance abuse, mental health disorders, and depression due to the trauma they endure.
The case also involves other victims, including a 15-year-old girl who had been previously reported missing. Additionally, traffickers recruited more victims from North Carolina for their ring. Explicit photos of the victims were used for online advertisements.
Pam Strickland, founder of NC Stop Human Trafficking, pointed to several warning signs for human trafficking at motels, including an unusually high number of men entering and exiting certain rooms, and the presence of “Do Not Disturb” signs that were rarely removed.
Strickland stressed that human trafficking is sustained by the demand for paid sex. “We wouldn’t have traffickers recruiting young women if there weren’t people willing to pay for sex,” she said. The North Carolina Demand Reduction Task Force is actively working to hold sex buyers accountable and educate the public about the reality of trafficking.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help prevent further exploitation.
