Human trafficking is a serious offense. It is the third largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world, preceded only by arms trade and drug trafficking. Human trafficking involves the control and exploitation of people (regardless of age, race, nationality, or gender) by means of violence, deception, fraud, or duress for the purpose of gaining forced labor, commercial sex, servitude, or sale or harvest of human organs. This crime occurs in every state across the country, including Louisiana. In Louisiana in 2017, New Orleans (Orleans Parish) reported the largest number of human trafficking cases, followed by Caddo Parish, Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany , and East Baton Rouge Parish. If you are charged with human trafficking, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney in New Orleans, Louisiana to assist with the defense of this charge.

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In Louisiana, human trafficking is defined by Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 14:46.2. The penalties are steep. A person convicted of human trafficking can be fined up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and imprisoned up to ten years. If the human trafficking includes commercial sexual activity or any sexual conduct constituting a crime under the laws of Louisiana, the person can be fined up to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) and imprisoned up to twenty years. Further, if the human trafficking involved a person who knowingly recruited, harbored, transported, provided, solicited, sold, purchased, received, isolated, enticed, obtained, or maintained the use of a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years for the purpose of engaging in commercial sexual activity, the accused can be fined up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), imprisoned between fifteen and fifty years, or both.

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If you are facing a human trafficking charge, at the Law Office of Gaynell Williams, we will assess your case, conduct our own personal investigation to build your defense, and together come up with the best strategy to fight your charges and mitigate or completely avoid any potential repercussions. We will do our best to protect your freedom, your name and reputation, and your career. Our goal is to keep you out of jail and at home with your family, where you belong. Regardless of the seriousness of the crime you have been accused of, we can help. Don’t wait! Call us today to schedule an appointment for a free consultation to discuss your case. Call (504) 302-2462.