APD: Human trafficking on the rise

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Justin Grills, 28, faced a judge Friday on charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, promoting prostitution and human trafficking after police said he snatched an 18-year-old woman from North Carolina and forced her to have sex for money.

The woman escaped Tuesday after Grills left the home, according to police.

Grills is the second person to be charged with human trafficking under a New Mexico law passed in July 2008. The first person charged, Tilford Black, was arrested earlier this year for forcing an 18-year-old homeless woman into prostitution, according to police.

"The number of cases across the country have been pretty much doubling every year," Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said.

Schultz said human trafficking has become very prevalent in states like Arizona, Nevada and California. Federal authorities warn that it's happening most in communities of more than 75,000 people and often goes unreported.

"There is much more in the community then we know of, the statistics tell us that, the Department of Justice tells us. We know a lot more of this is going on," Schultz said.

The chief said his officers, specifically vice officers, are actively looking for possible cases of human trafficking. Those officers come in contact with the prostitution trade.

"One thing we routinely check into is ask them 'Why are you doing this? Are you being forced to do this job,'" Schultz said.

While a person who forced another into prostitution could be charged with promoting prostitution, the human trafficking charge may result in more jail time. Schultz said that is essential to help fight the growing problem.