TULSA -- A 13-year-old who was forced into prostitution is in state care after escaping the motel room where she was being held captive.
The Tulsa Police Department arrested Deonte Smith, 26, for human trafficking and first-degree rape of a minor.
Investigators say hotels that accept cash are a prime location for pimps, and in this case, the prostitute was a victim, a 13-year-old Tulsa girl who ran away from her parents’ home and was staying with Smith, all while having sex for money.
Police say Smith is from Ohio and met the victim at a party several weeks ago. According to police, they recently reconnected after the girl ran away from her parents’ house.
“They had been here for several days during that time she had sex with multiple men for money,” said Sergeant Todd Evans.
Sgt. Evans says Smith was advertising online, charging between $100 to $250 for the encounters.
When she got her chance, the victim escaped.
"She had enough time to get out of the room she ran to a friend’s house who is a student, went to high schools in the area and told her friend what was going on. The friend also believing this wasn't the right thing to do either reached out until teachers at the school and the school is the one who called the police initially,” said Sgt. Evans.
Police say Smith has a criminal record in Ohio, but has never been arrested in Tulsa before this.
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