3 Tennessee men indicted in New Orleans on charges forcing women into prostitution

Description

Three Tennessee men face federal charges of forcing women into prostitution in New Orleans. They were arrested Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

A federal grand jury in December indicted Granville "BEAR" Robinson, Duane "P-nut" Phillips, and Anthony "Animal" Ellis. Prosecutors accuse them of forcing "several adult" women into prostitution, then transporting them across state lines to sell them for sex, the indictment unsealed Wednesday says.

If convicted of the conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion charges, the men face up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release.

The case was jointly investigated by the FBI IN NEW ORLEANS AND MEMPHIS and the Department of Homeland Security.