COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Law Enforcement charged five individuals for allegedly engaging in human trafficking of a minor.
On multiple occasions from February until April of 2023, the five individuals allegedly recruited, harbored, transported and provided a victim under the age of 18, knowing the victim would be subjected to sex trafficking for the purposes of performing sexual acts in exchange for compensation.
Records say that the sexual acts began at the Super 8 Motel on 3026 Washington Road in Augusta, Georgia before proceeding at the HomeTowne Studios and Suites Columbiana at 350 Columbiana Drive in Columbia, South Carolina.
The five individuals are accused of allegedly knowingly subjecting the underage victim to a human sex trafficking operation.
Below are the suspect’s names and their charges:
Antonio Marquis Nicholson, 32, charged on Wednesday, July 26th with the following:
- 4 counts of Trafficking in Persons, Victim under 18 years old – 1st offense
Monesha Tatayana Lapri Gary, 24, charged on Thursday, May 11th with the following:
- 4 counts of Trafficking in Persons, Victim under 18 years old – 1st offense
Jared H. Pease, 56, charged on Thursday, November 9th with the following:
- 3 counts of Trafficking in Persons, Victim under 18 years old – 1st offense
Terrell Counts, 32, charged on Wednesday, May 24th with the following:
- Trafficking in Persons, Victim under 18 years old – 1st offense
Rebecca Melanie Perry, 29, charged on Thursday, December 7th with the following:
- Trafficking in Persons, Victim under 18 years old – 1st offense