TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka couple is facing federal charges after a grand jury returned indictments accusing them of forcing a teenage girl into prostitution.
U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom’s office says 29-year-old Reginald Newman and his 21-year-old wife, Tiara Jade Newman, are charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking of a minor.
Prosecutors say the victim was introduced to the couple on March 21 and engaged her in prostitution through March 30. The indictment alleges Reginald Newman held a gun to the 17-year-old victim’s head and threatened to kill her if she didn’t participate in a commercial sex act.
Both defendants remain in state custody after being charged last month with aggravated human trafficking in the same case.