Alabama traffic stop uncovers human trafficking operation, deputies say
Published 4:47 pm Thursday, January 26, 2023
A traffic stop on a stretch of interstate in Alabama uncovered a human trafficking operation and the arrest of two people, deputies said.
On Wednesday, deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for a lane violation on Interstate 10 near the Florida-Alabama state line.
Deputies said three people were in the vehicle when they pulled it over.
One of the three was Benjamin M. Sapp, 20, of Sacramento, California, who was driving and had an active warrent for prostitution from Harris County, Texas.
Deputies arrested him and also noticed the smell of marijuana in the vehicle.
After a search they found marijuana and $15,000 in cash.
Two females were in the car. Breanna Chanthanam, 20, also of Sacramento and an 18-year-old female.
Deputies said as they interviewed the two and with evidence in the car they believed the two women were working as prostitutes.
Deputies said the 18-year-old had visible bruising and lacerations on her face as well as a broken collar bone.
Investigators said they determined the 18-year-old had been recruited by Sapp and Chanthanam, who were profiting from her servitude.
Sapp and Chanthanam were subsequently arrested on charged of human trafficking.