(Baltimore, MD) -- Five people have been indicted in connection with a violent sex trafficking ring in Howard County.
The organization allegedly operated out of hotels and motels along Route 1 in Jessup, recruiting drug-dependent women to take part in sex work by giving them drugs and free housing at the motels.
If the women did not comply, they would allegedly be intimidated, threatened, beaten, and prevented from accessing drugs.
Prosecutors also say the organization distributed drugs in the community, leading to at least one fentanyl overdose.
Authorities say they seized seven firearms, more than $150,000 cash, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
The indicted individuals include:
• Isaiah Robinson – of Columbia, Maryland – Charged with 117 counts
• Julian Thigpen – of Jessup, Maryland – Charged with 100 counts
• Tamara Johnson – of Columbia, Maryland – Charged with 12 counts
• Denney Stomer – of Hanover, Maryland – Charged with 34 counts
• Terrill Furbush – of Glen Burnie, Maryland – Charged with 64 counts