GEORGIA — Chatham County authorities are searching for 20 or more suspects after a 15-year-old girl was forced into sexual servitude, officials said Wednesday.
The investigation began last week, just hours after the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office announced the launch of a human trafficking task force. Deputies received a tip from law enforcement in Oklahoma regarding a missing girl believed to be in danger in the Savannah area.
Authorities located the girl at a hotel near I-95 and Highway 204. Capt. Gene Harley said she was found alone in the hotel room and was moved to a safe location to receive protective and support services.
The suspect in the case has been identified as 30-year-old Iven Dwane Richardson of Alabama.
Initially, investigators said there was no indication Richardson had ties to Savannah, but they later discovered he had an apartment at the Grand Oaks Apartments on Ogeechee Road. Richardson was arrested outside his apartment Tuesday evening. Authorities said there is no evidence that any criminal activity occurred at the apartment.
Richardson faces multiple felony charges, including interstate interference with custody, human trafficking, aggravated child molestation, statutory rape, enticing a child for indecent purposes, and use of a communication device for criminal purposes, as well as a misdemeanor charge of computer or electronic pornography.
Investigators continue to search for additional suspects believed to be involved in the crime.
