Bond denied again for Memphis women charged with human trafficking in Tupelo
TUPELO – Two Tennessee women charged with human trafficking in Tupelo are accused of carrying an underage girl across state lines to have sex for money.
During a Tuesday afternoon preliminary hearing, defense attorneys argued the 17-year-old was not coerced and was a willing participant in the prostitution. The judge seem unpersuaded, however, and ordered the women held without bond.
“We have a 17-year-old girl, through social media setting up shop in two locations out of state. This is very organized. You came 90 miles to commit felonies,” said Tupelo Municipal Court Judge Jay Weir. “I do believe you are flight risks, and I feel prostitution and human trafficking are a menace to society. As such, bond is denied.”
Terraneika S. Poplar, 19, of Georgetown Drive, Memphis, Tennessee; and Destiney D. Plummer, 20, of Quinn Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee; were arrested by Tupelo police July 8 and charged with human trafficking.
According to testimony, authorities believe the women were trying to break away from a Memphis pimp and “set up shop” in Tupelo. When the pimp learned of their plans, he allegedly called police to report that his 16-year-old little sister was engaged in prostitution at a Tupelo motel.
Patrol officers responded to the North Gloster Street location and talked with the women and the 17-year-old. While there was no obvious sign of prostitution, a Tupelo detective and a Mississippi Bureau of Investigation agent decided to look further into the situation.
A check of online sex ads revealed pictures that resembled the three females and names used were the same as the two women. Going undercover, police contacted the women through the social media ads and arranged a meeting.
“Miss Poplar texted back, asking if we wanted her, the 17-year-old or both,” said MBI special agent Chas Kennedy. “She was promoting prostitution.”
When the agent arrived at the second location, a McCullough Boulevard motel, he encountered Plummer by the pool wearing a revealing swimsuit. Kennedy commented that he has "seen more cotton in an aspirin bottle."
After the three females were detained for questioning, officers took them back to their room to get more appropriate clothes. Police claimed they were “overwhelmed by the smell of marijuana smoke” and found other illegal drugs and condoms scattered around the room.
“They were setting up shop here,” Kennedy said.
On cross-examination by defense attorney Harry Sumner, Kennedy said the women filed a protection order July 3 against their purported Memphis pimp and days later had rented rooms in two different Tupelo motels. He said the women had been in town less than 24 hours before police were tipped off.
When asking for bond, both defense attorneys pointed out that the 17-year-old was a willing participant, and if she had been a few months older, there would not have been a crime and the women would not be facing life in prison.
Prosecutor Richard Babb did not agree.
“We have a 17-year-old girl being groomed to be a prostitute. They took her out of state,” Babb said. “The legislature has made it clear, if you want to use a child to make money, there is a price to pay.”
Judge Weir ruled that there was probable cause that a crime was committed and bound the case over to the Lee County grand jury.
