Human trafficking investigation yields charges against man allegedly posing as 'sugar daddy'

A 70-year-old man is facing additional charges this week after being arrested last month in connection with human trafficking.

Following a months-long investigation, members of the Coastal Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Jesse Lonzo Teal on Nov. 29. Teal allegedly posted advertisements to an escort website, looking for women so he could be their "sugar daddy," according to a news release from the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.

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The task force identified Teal as the source of the posts and interviewed several victims who "engaged in commercial sex arranged by Teal for his benefit," according to the news release. Investigators allegedly found some advertisements showing the women on websites used for human trafficking.

Teal was arrested in November at his home. At the time, he faced 12 charges related to human trafficking and was held in jail under a $100,000 bond.

Then on Tuesday, law enforcement served Teal with 16 new charges related to the investigation. He's now facing seven counts of first-degree exploitation of a minor, seven counts of third-degree exploitation of a minor, one count of second-degree exploitation of a minor and one count of patronizing a minor. Teal is being held in the New Hanover County Detention Facility under a $200,000 secure bond, the release stated.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or other human trafficking matters is encouraged to reach out to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 910-798-4260.

Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at edill@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Man posing as 'sugar daddy' faces Wilmington human trafficking charges