A Jamestown man was arrested as part of an alleged human trafficking operation in Laurel County.
38-year-old Kevin R. Martinez of Jamestown was arrested by Kentucky State Police Post 15 with a warrant out of Laurel County on charges including four counts of rape – first degree and four counts of sodomy – first degree.
According to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, family members reported an underage girl missing to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. An investigation began and it was determined the victim was in New York with a 42-year-old man. Law enforcement agencies worked together and the girl was brought back to Laurel County.
Also arrested in the investigation were 41-year-old Tabitha Peterson of East Bernstadt. She’s charged with complicity to rape, human trafficking – commercial sexual activity, and complicity to sodomy. The man from New York was taken into federal custody. He’s charged with travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation also revealed Martinez had been involved with the underage girl as well.
WJRS News has reached out to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office for more details. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests could be made.
