SLED: 3 charged in human trafficking case at Myrtle Beach hotel

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - Authorities have charged three people from Longs in connection to a human trafficking case in Myrtle Beach.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said 33-year-old Kwame Lawan Vereen, 37-year-old Lashon Alvin Ladson and 24-year-old Brittany Marquita Rutledge Jackson were arrested Thursday, each charged with trafficking in persons under the age of 18.

Ladson and Vereen are also each charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to arrest warrants obtained by WMBF News, the incidents occurred between Sept. 13-15 at the Comfort Suites Hotel, located at 710 Frontage Road East in Myrtle Beach.

Jackson allegedly recruited a victim knowing they would be “subjected to, or for the purposes of sex trafficking, forced labor or services, for the purposes of performing sexual acts for compensation.”

Ladson and Vereen then engaged in sexual battery of the victim, according to the warrants.

All three suspects are being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center as of Friday.

“SLED agents, along with our law enforcement and community partners who make up the SC Human Trafficking Task Force, are committed to finding those responsible for exploiting vulnerable individuals to ensure justice is served for survivors,” SLED Chief Mark Keel said in a statement. “It is so important for anyone who may suspect human trafficking to report it. If you or someone you know is being trafficked, help is available.”

SLED also stated that the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force believes there may be more victims in the case. Multiple agencies, including the Horry County Police Department, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Myrtle Beach Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations all assisted in the investigation.

Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson said these partnerships are critical when it comes to prosecuting these kinds of cases and putting human traffickers behind bars for the maximum amount of time.

“You are never going to be successful in a human trafficking case without a partnership with law enforcement because the criminals have all the rights in the world. So we have to be very smart in the way we represent and protect the people of Horry and Georgetown counties, along with the state,” Richardson said.

He added that prosecuting human trafficking cases can be tough since many suspects end up moving around the state and even the country.

“Human trafficking by its very nature means to move. To be able to explain this case to a jury you have to show where these people have been so a lot of these cases we take to the federal level,” Richardson explained.

If you are a victim of human trafficking in South Carolina, you’re asked to call SLED’s Human Trafficking Unit at 803-896-5591.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.