On Tuesday, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that one individual had been indicted as a result of an investigation led by the state’s new Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Unit along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit.
Felipe Smith, 24, of Atlanta, has been indicted in Clayton County in a case that involves the trafficking of an adult female with a developmental disability.
According to a press release from Carr’s office, “Specifically, the defendant is alleged to have transported and provided the victim to buyers at various hotels around metro-Atlanta for the purpose of performing commercial sex acts. Smith is further alleged to have benefitted financially from the sale of the victim. These acts are alleged to have a connection to the defendant’s association with the criminal street gang, PDE. For this reason, Smith is also facing charges of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.”
“Alongside our partners at GBI, we have located an adult victim with a disability in a first-of-its-kind case for our Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit,” said Carr. “We’re fighting each day to protect our most vulnerable Georgians, and that includes our ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and gang activity in every one of our communities. We will not rest in our pursuit of justice for this young woman and survivors across our state.”
“The GBI’s HEAT Unit works closely with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office to seek justice for victims,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This case reveals the heinous nature of the crimes we investigate. We will continue to work with our public safety partners to hold people accountable for these vicious acts.”
Felipe Smith faces the following charges:
- 6 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
- 3 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
