Chilling Human Trafficking Case Unfolds in South Carolina
Columbia, SC – In a disturbing and heavy-hitting case, two South Carolina women are now facing the grim reality of spending the rest of their lives behind bars after pleading guilty to their roles in a nasty human trafficking conspiracy. Monesha Tatayana Lapri Gary, a 24-year-old from Clinton, and Rebecca Melanie Perry, a 30-year-old from Columbia, have joined forces with two others—Antonia Marquis Nicholson and Terrell Counts—in recruiting and exploiting minors as commercial sex workers.
Life on the Line
Before U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon, both women admitted their guilt in a federal court, opening the door to the possibility of life in prison, hefty fines reaching $250,000, and a lifetime of supervision if they ever see the light of day again. To top it off, they will be required to register as sex offenders should they ever walk free again. Talk about a hard-hitting consequence!
A Grim Partnership
The duo did not operate alone. They were part of a tightly-knit group that spent at least eight months coordinating transactions that revolved around three minor victims. The internet, unfortunately, played a huge role in their nefarious operations, providing a platform for advertising, booking appointments, and managing payments from customers.
One shocking piece of evidence revealed that one of the minor victims was actually recruited by Nicholson and Perry at a hotel, right after she had run away from home. What happened next was shocking—“They drove her across state lines, told her that she was going to work in commercial sex, bought her lingerie, took photos of her, advertised her for commercial sex on the internet, and arranged for customers to exploit her at hotels in the Columbia area and elsewhere in the state,” a report stated. It’s a chilling thought, isn’t it?
Behind the Operation
As described in the release, Nicholson took on the responsibility of setting prices and collecting cash while making the tough decision on which minor would receive what cut from their “earnings.” Meanwhile, Gary played the dangerous game of pretending to be a minor herself, so she could communicate with customers showing interest in the young victims. She was not just a keyboard warrior, though—she also took it upon herself to transport the minors to different cities for exploitation and deal with any major customer-related issues.
And let’s not forget Perry. She was just as involved, taking part in the daily operations that kept this twisted scheme running smoothly. As if that wasn’t enough, two other minors were recruited right near a high school to work as sex workers whenever school was out.
A Deeply Disturbing Control
The level of control exerted over the minors was astonishing. One of the victims even faced physical assault while under this operation, and several of the conspirators were reportedly seen carrying firearms and distributing drugs around the vulnerable minors. Talk about a truly concerning environment!
A Collaborative Investigation
The bleak details of this operation came to light thanks to the diligent work by various law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. This case serves as a stark reminder of the important work these agencies do to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
What’s Next?
As sentencing nears, Gary and Perry face the harsh reality of their crimes—one that could rob them of their freedom for life. An indictment remains pending for their alleged accomplices, Nicholson and Counts, hinting that more revelations may surface in the days to come.
This case has left many in the community reeling. It raises some serious questions about the safety of our youth and the dark underbelly of human trafficking still prevalent today.
