“But He Loves Me”
This is based on a TRUE STORY, but I have changed the names of the people involved.
She’s 19 years old and facing a life in prison on multiple charges of human trafficking and underage sex trafficking.
The details are a bit sketchy, but the bottom line is, Kelli is in big trouble and doesn’t even realize that SHE is a victim.
Kelli wanted to be independent so she left home before finishing high school, at the age of 14. She met a young man who made her feel like an adult. He showered her with compliments and gifts and pretty clothes. He told her how much he loved her and wanted her to be his for life! He spoke of marriage and children, further drawing her into his web.
When Daren was sure that Kelli was in his control, he began to show her what he was really all about and how those gifts were actually paid for. You see, Daren had a small stable of girls that worked for him. He had complete control of everything they did and when they did not perform, they were severely punished. These young girls brought him thousands of dollars a week and kept him able to live a very luxurious lifestyle.
Most of the girls were runaways and a few of them were actually still living at home with their parents and attending high school. Each and every one of these girls, at one time, thought that Daren was in love with them. He played them against each other and they became very competitive with one another. Each of them trying to outdo the others by bringing Daren the most money each night, bidding for his favor and love.
Daren slowly began to show Kelli the workings of his business and explained that more girls means more money. He explained to her that if she was able to help him find more girls, she could share in the benefits of the business and without her help, she would have to perform to continue to have his favor and love. If she really loved him, she would help him.
So Kelli very willingly became a recruiter for Daren. She proceeded to frequent places that young girls hung out. The Malls, Teen clubs, highschool games and other places that had girls looking for acceptance and had low self-esteem. She knew what to look for because Daren had taught her well.
Kelli was very good at the job that Daren had given her and she gained his trust and was showered even more with expensive gifts and his promise of a future together. You see they were saving up to buy a house to raise children in. They were saving for their future, or so Kelli thought!
One day, Daren came up with an idea to begin transporting some of the girls to different locations and moving them around to keep them under his control and reduce the risk of them leaving or getting busted.
One of the things that I have not mentioned yet is the abuse that these girls had to take, on a daily basis. Much of which, Kelli witnessed or even helped with. They were verbally abused, raped, beaten, starved and blackmailed to keep quiet and in compliance with Daren’s demands. Kelli actually told me that she was giving these girls a better life than they had. She had convinced herself that what she was doing was a good thing. I’m sure that Daren had a hand in the convincing!
Eventually, they got caught. They took a few of the girls to an area that was under watch by local police and ended up being the focus of a sting operation. Daren was not around when the chips finally fell. Kelli, however was, and one of the girls found the courage to tell the police of her involvement in the operation.
After interviewing several of the girls, Kelli was arrested and charged with Human trafficking, kidnapping, sex trafficking of a minor and multiple other charges.
Kelli is now an adult and is facing multiple prison sentences. She has been given the opportunity to testify against her boyfriend and refuses to do so. She is taking all the responsibility for these horrendous acts all by herself. She thinks he’s going to help her beat these charges. She thinks he’ll find a way to get the other girls to change their statements and ultimately she will be released.
She has been waiting for several months with no results but is convinced that it’s all part of his plan for them to spend their lives together. She has yet to realize that she too, is a victim.
When I actually spoke with this girl, she openly bragged about what she had done. Even though I was shocked at her smug attitude, I knew in my heart that she was a victim but I was having a hard time getting her to accept that. I am sure that she will eventually though. She kept telling me no, she was not a victim, she liked the lifestyle and after all, it was only going to be temporary. This girl was still holding on to the fantasy the she and her abuser were in love and going to build a family life together. Kelli still can’t wrap her head around tha fact that she’d been sought out and used.
I have read story after story about the victims of sex trafficking and other forms of human trafficking. Why had I been in the dark about this issue for so long when it’s been going on for decades or longer? The answer to that question is the same reason that the majority of the people in this country are in the dark. There are people who actively sweep such issues under the rug. Why do they do this? Well, I can’t prove it, but I have a feeling that somehow there must be something in it for them to do so. In the meantime, human trafficking is becoming more profitable than drugs. It’s easier to cover up and sweep under the rug, easier to keep out of the news, easier to forget about. As score of unidentified remains of humans are found each day in this country, I can’t help but wonder how many of them were trafficking victims, whose families will never know whether they are dead or alive!
We have joined the fight, along with many others to raise awareness of this increasing tragedy to humanity. There are a number of organizations that are working very hard to get the horrific truth out. Truckers Against Trafficking is one of these groups, whose focus is to educate and work to abolish this activity.
NOW, you’ve read a REAL story. One of many, that I hope will touch your heart and lead you to become involved. Help save a life, become a TRUCKER AGAINST TRAFFICKING!
Visit their website, contact them and get involved…. http://www.truckersagainsttrafficking.com
REPORT Suspected Human Trafficking and Undersge Sex Trafficking and SAVE A LIFE! CALL 888-373-7888
May God Bless you ALL,
JAN
