Melinda Carmichael, 22, and Gary Whitfield, 29 are accused of promising a 12-year-old girl easy money and luxurious gifts if she danced at clubs and bachelor parties and picked up 'johns' to have sex with them.
"The defendants in these cases are the lowest of the low, forcing children to have sex for money. My Sex Trafficking Unit and I will see them punished to the fullest extent of the law," said District Attorney Hynes. "Sex-trafficking victims are lucky to escape with the clothes on their backs. Something as simple as soap can help give them back some of the dignity and sense of independence of which they have been stripped. I would like to thank the people at Avon for their donation, which continues our partnership in working to end violence against women and girls, building on Avon's early and continuing support for the Brooklyn Family Justice Center."
Charges against Carmichael and Whitfield include Sex Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
The indictment also says 21-year-old Kendale Judge met a 13-year-old runaway and tried to gain her trust, but instead beat her and forced her into prostitution and advertised her services on a website.
When the victim escaped, another suspect, 19-year-old Sanique Davis, is accused of helping to keep the girl captive.
Charges against Judge and Davis include Sex Trafficking, Kidnapping in the First Degree, Compelling Prostitution, Rape in the Second Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
