The Albany County Sheriff’s Office arrested two City of Troy residents Tuesday, March 4, on sex trafficking charges following a tip on the whereabouts of an endangered 21-year-old woman.
The Lewis County woman told a friend she was being forced into prostitution by two individuals and that she was being held in a motel in the Town of Colonie. The friend contacted local authorities who then contacted the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.
During the course of the investigation, sheriff’s investigators learned the female was being advertised as an escort on backpage.com. Sheriff investigators contacted the number listed on the website to set up a meeting and were directed to the Super 8 Motel on Central Avenue. Investigators met with the woman and she told them the whereabouts of the two suspects who were allegedly feeding her heroin addiction while selling her for sex.
Investigators also executed a search warrant on another motel room just a few doors down from the victim and seized 20 bags of heroin, along with more than $1,800.
Police arrested Elijah B. Richardson, 19, of 165 Fourth St., Troy, and Jakia J. York, 19, of 115 Adams St.,Troy. Both were charged with felony sex trafficking, criminal possession of controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. Judge Peter Crummey arraigned the pair in Colonie Town Court and remanded them to Albany County jail without bail.
Anyone having information on this case or similar cases is urged to contact the Albany County Sheriff Tip Line at 720-8075.