Officers arrested a husband and wife for their part in trafficking kids and producing child pornography. A federal grand jury indicted five individuals for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children and the production of child pornography. Even more shockingly, if that’s possible, the feds charged the husband with incest. Those charges indicate the victims were relatives of the couple.
A grand jury handed down the indictments in Greenville, South Carolina. Sadly, the child pornography was distributed all over the country and the world. These five people were arrested:
- Gary Garland
- Shannon Garland
- Johnnie Wells
- Michael Skelton
- Duwone Allen
All five live in Anderson, South Carolina, a town with a population just over 27,000.
Husband and Wife Charged
Officials released some details from the warrants used to arrest the Garlands. They allege the couple sexually trafficked a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old. The pair produced sexually explicit videos featuring children. Mr. and Mrs. Garland were also charged with participating in sex acts with underage girls.
Officials charged Shannon Garland with:
- 7 counts– Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 1st Degree
- Unlawful Neglect of a Child
- Accessory to a CSC with a minor 2nd degree
- CSC with Minor 2nd degree
Officials charged Gary Garland with:
- 10 counts- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 1st Degree
- Trafficking, Victim under 18 YOA
- Engaging a child Under 18 for Sexual Performance
- 2 counts– CSC 2nd degree
- 4 counts– Distribution of Schedule 2 Narcotic to a Minor Under 18
- 3 counts- Incest
- 4 counts- CSC with a Minor 1st
- Unlawful Neglect of a child
- Dissemination of Obscene Materials
The ten-count indictment claims the defendants advertised and transported at least two minors to engage in sexual acts. The Garlands then produced videos of these sex acts.
“Child sex trafficking is one of the most offensive and reprehensible crimes possible,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “Sadly, many of the victims and offenders are hidden in plain sight. With support from our federal, state, and local partners, this office will find those who engage in all forms of human trafficking and bring them to justice. This includes those who patronize these victims. We will also continue to work with support groups here in our community to ensure these victims receive the services they need.”
Charlotte Ronnie Martinez, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, said. “Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, and these cases are a top priority for HSI investigation.”
