Woman Free on Bond After Arrest in Holland on Sex Trafficking Charges

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WHTC) – A 23-year-old woman arrested in Holland on federal charges stemming from alleged sex trafficking involving teenaged girls is free on 25 thousand dollars bond. Stephanie Martin appeared at US District Court in Grand Rapids yesterday. She and two others yet to be apprehended purportedly put photos of the victims online, and according to statements by FBI agents in court documents, the images generated “strong response” from prospective customers. The victims allegedly performed “commercial sex acts” with multiple men at an unnamed Holland area apartment building. The arrest culminated a nearly year-long investigation that begun at an undisclosed Grand Rapids hotel, and may have stemmed from a sting operation announced by the FBI on Tuesday that rescued 19 teenaged girls peddled as prostitutes in Detroit and across Michigan. Martin has a preliminary hearing set for October 29th.