Howard County police have charged a man from Baltimore with human trafficking at a hotel in Jessup.
Michael Allen Steadman, 33, of Newington Avenue, is charged with sex trafficking and is currently being held on $10,000 bond at the Howard County Detention Center.
During the course of an undercover operation targeting human traffickers on Sept. 8, police learned of possible prostitution activity in the county. Through investigation, detectives arrested Steadman after they determined he was providing transportation to and from prostitution appointments for a 26-year-old female victim and keeping a portion of her money.
The victim was referred to appropriate services for assistance.
Howard County has an ongoing effort to combat prostitution, human trafficking, and related offenses. Investigators are focused on arresting traffickers and offering assistance to victims through housing, treatment, transportation, and other services. Detectives regularly monitor websites for prostitution ads and place their own ads from the police department with warnings not to engage in prostitution or human trafficking in Howard County.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about suspected human trafficking or prostitution to contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.
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