Sussex County – On Friday, August 19, 2016, the Delaware State Police along with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Ocean City Police Department concluded an eight month investigation into a human trafficking ring operating in Sussex County.
Police said that beginning in December 2015, investigators obtained information that Rashawn B. Davis was running a prostitution ring out of numerous motels. Troopers launched an investigation into the illegal activities and known associates of Rashawn B. Davis. Over the course of several months persons connected with Davis were contacted several times at local motel rooms in eastern Sussex County, according to police.
Authorities said that in April 2016, investigators discovered that Davis had recruited, George L. Dunn and showed him how to operate another prostitution ring.
Over the course of the investigation detectives were able to identify more than eight females that were current or former victims of Rashawn Davis and George Dunn, police said. According to police the investigation also revealed that Davis and Dunn were business associates who operated jointly and independently. Through interviews detectives learned that Davis had been operating prostitution rings out of local motels since the fall of 2015, police said. Investigators said that Dunn and Davis used coercion, verbal abuse and the withholding of heroin to control the behavior of the victims. Police said that Dunn and Davis posted advertisements on the Internet, negotiating with potential clients, themselves. All proceeds from prostitution activities went back to Dunn and Davis, according to police. Authorities said that the female victims involved were only provided with minimal amounts of heroin, and basic items like fast food and clothing.
As the result of the investigation Rashawn B. Davis was also charged with an unrelated home invasion that occurred on January 4, 2016 in the Unit block of Carriage Lane in Rehoboth Beach. Police said that during this incident two masked suspects armed with a handgun had forced their way into a residence, and forcibly removed items from a 42 year old male victim.
On Friday, August 12, 2016 George L. Dunn, 24 of Georgetown, turned himself in to troopers and was charged with 3 counts Human Trafficking-Sexual Servitude and 1 count conspiracy 2nd. George L. Dunn was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in default of $10,000.00 secured bond.
On Thursday, August 18, 2016, Rashawn B. Davis, 24 of Millsboro, was arrested without incident and charged 2 counts of Human Trafficking-Sexual Servitude, 2 counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree,1 count of Robbery 1st Degree, 1 count of Home Invasion, 1 count of Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony
Rashawn B. Davis was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in default of $147,000 secured bond. (Additional human trafficking charges against Davis are to be added by indictment).
Rashawn B. Davis
Image Credits: Delaware State Police