BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - A woman claims that she was the victim of human and sex trafficking as a minor and hotel staff was aware of the illegal activity and did not inform law enforcement.
Jane Doe, represented by Rainwater, Holt and Sexton, P.A., filed a complaint on May 12 in the Circuit Court of Benton County, Ark., against OM Hospitality Inc., d/b/a Economy Inn for negligence.
Jane Doe alleged that between 2014 and 2017, from the time she was 14 until 17, she was the victim of sex trafficking by Defendants John Doe 1-4 at the Economy Inn located at 3574 W. Sunset, Springdale, Arkansas.
Jane Doe alleged that while on the Defendants' premises, her trafficker coerced and used threats of physical violence to force her into performing sex or sexual acts with men for money. Jane Doe alleged that her trafficker would keep her at the hotel for a month and half at a time, and Economy Inn management would notify said trafficker if law enforcement was coming to "look around" and advise trafficker to take Jane Doe to the Royal Inn down the road and hide her.
Jane Doe alleged that hotel phones were never utilized, staff was never allowed in for routine cleaning, towels and cleaning supplies were provided by management at the request of the trafficker and her trafficker used and sold methamphetamines while at Economy Inn. Jane Doe alleges that Economy Inn was negligent in preventing sexual exploitation, training staff on the signs of trafficking, not inspecting rooms with high foot traffic of non-registered guests, improper monitoring of guests and failure to maintain a safe premise.