LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Authorities made significant arrests this week in a human trafficking case involving a young girl from Laurel County.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office revealed the case began after the girl’s family reported her missing. Subsequent investigation found the victim in New York with 42-year-old Joshua Mahley.
Officials believe Mahley connected with the victim and her family through the internet. The girl has since been safely returned to Laurel County.
On Monday, 41-year-old Tabitha Peterson was arrested and charged with complicity to rape, complicity to sodomy, and human trafficking. On Friday, 38-year-old Kevin Martinez was arrested on multiple counts of rape and sodomy.
Both Peterson and Martinez remain in the Laurel County Detention Center.
Mahley was arrested in New York on federal charges, including traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities warn that more arrests may be forthcoming.
