PHOTO: A man has been charged with sex trafficking and promoting prostitution, in part for allegedly forcing a 19-year-old woman to have sex with men in the basement this Jamaica house. Photo Courtesy of Google
A Hollis man has been charged with sex trafficking, rape and other crimes for allegedly forcing a 19-year-old woman into prostitution and threatening her with a gun to her head when she tried to stop trading sex for cash, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Dayshawn Preston, 20, was arraigned last Wednesday night on a complaint charging him with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, sex trafficking, second-degree promoting prostitution, third-degree assault and second-degree menacing. Preston was held on $750,000 bail, and his next court date is Feb. 24.
According to the charges, between Aug. 1, 2015, and Feb. 9, the victim was allegedly forced to have sex with men in the basement of Preston’s family’s home on 196th Street in Jamaica. The young woman was allegedly repeatedly threatened with physical harm if she didn’t make at least $500 per night. On occasions when she didn’t turn over the quota, the victim either was allegedly deprived of food or a shower, or Preston would strike her in the face.
As detailed in the complaint, on Tuesday, Feb. 9, the victim was able to grab a mobile phone when it fell from Preston’s hand; she then ran away from the house and frantically dialed 911. Though Preston allegedly caught up to her and began to beat the victim, dispatchers were able to send first responders to the location of the call.
“Prostitution is not a victimless crime,” Brown said. “The woman—still in her teens—was threatened, beaten and escaped from her ordeal only after making a desperate call to 911. That call ended with her screaming as the defendant allegedly struck her with a frying pan. The defendant faces a lengthy prison term for sex trafficking—a very violent and degrading crime that cannot be tolerated.”
If convicted, Preston faces up to 25 years in prison.
