Charlotte man charged with trafficking 17-year-old girl in Wake Co., police say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man was charged Monday with trafficking a 17-year-old girl in Wake County, police said, WTVD reported.

Lorenza Jenkins, 32, was charged with human trafficking of a child, possession of marijuana and heroin, and holding a child in sexual servitude.

Jenkins is accused of holding the 17-year-old in sexual servitude and profiting from the prostitution of her between May and June 2019, according to police.

Authorities said the victim was found at a Raleigh hotel.

“They’re (trafficker) taking care of them as property and investing in them as property because that’s how they use them," said Lance Olive, who serves on the board of Shield North Carolina, an anti-trafficking organization and started the Red X podcast to raise awareness about human trafficking.

Agents see increase in human trafficking cases Agents see increase in human trafficking cases

More than 4,000 human trafficking cases have been reported in the Carolinas since 2007, according to the Salvation Army of Wake County.

“If there are people you know that may be getting pulled into this, some of the warning signs would be withdrawal from family, friends, church, community and extracurricular activities,” said Olive.

Jenkins is being held at the Mecklenburg County jail with bail set at $150,000. He is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 24.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• 19-year-old charged for hitting, killing child in hit-and-run in west Charlotte
• ‘He touched my heart’: Flight attendant raises money to help bus driver get on transplant list
• ‘It’s unimaginable’: Family dog escapes Concord animal hospital, gets hit and killed by car
• ‘This is horrible’: Mother of 7 hit, killed by car walking to store in Gaston County
• Police: 17-year-old boy shot after trying to rob off-duty CMPD officer

© 2019 Cox Media Group