A Franklin County grand jury has indicted six people on human trafficking charges.
Prosecutors say the suspects forced several woman into prostitution and selling drugs at homes and hotels from January 2016 through July 2019. Prosecutors say the suspects chose vulnerable women and threatened them if they wanted to leave. The suspects include 49-year-old Samuel Edwards, the alleged ringleader who is due in court on Friday. The others are 51-year-old Elbert Joiner Junior, 55-year-old Lamonte Rayford, 58-year-old Troy Whitfield, 26-year-old Shelby Freeze, and 58-year-old Rene Carter.
