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Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit Arrests Two Following Recovery, Identification of Underage Victims

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Sunday, November 24, 2024

Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit Arrests Two Following Recovery, Identification of Underage Victims

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Attorney General Chris Carr | Attorney General Chris Carr official website

Attorney General Chris Carr announced the arrest of Denorris Hutchinson and Natasha Bridges on charges of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude. This case stems from “Operation Not Forgotten,” during which a 17-year-old victim was recovered from a hotel in Fulton County. Both Hutchinson and Bridges are alleged to have trafficked the underage female. Following this initial rescue, and as a result of their continued investigation, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit was able to identify a second underage victim – a 15-year-old female – who Hutchinson is also alleged to have trafficked.

“This case serves as yet another reminder that children who are missing are increasingly vulnerable to sex trafficking, and we must do all we can to locate and protect them,” said Carr. “It’s been three years since the recovery of this 17-year-old victim, and we continue to identify and charge additional people who we allege were engaged in her trafficking. Nine of those defendants are already in prison, and we have not only made two new arrests, but we have also located a second underage victim who we will keep fighting for every step of the way.”

Since the victim's recovery in 2020, 13 people have been charged for their alleged involvement in the trafficking of this 17-year-old female. This includes the indictments of Terry Florence in DeKalb County and 10 others in Fulton County – nine of whom have already pleaded guilty.

Arrests and Charges

On Oct. 2, 2023, a Fulton County Magistrate Court Judge signed arrest warrants* for Denorris Hutchinson and Natasha Bridges.

With the assistance of the Clayton County Police Department, Hutchinson was arrested on Oct. 11, 2023, and Bridges was arrested on Oct. 26, 2023. The suspects are facing the following charges in Fulton County.

Denorris Hutchinson, 35, of East Point:

  • 3 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
Natasha Bridges, 34, of East Point:

  • 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
Case Summary

The Attorney General’s Chief Human Trafficking Investigator Bryan Kimbell participated in “Operation Not Forgotten” in August 2020, during which a 17-year-old female was located at a hotel in Fulton County. At the time of her recovery, the child had been reported as missing from Kansas City, Missouri.

The investigation indicated that Denorris Hutchinson and Natasha Bridges had harbored, transported and provided the victim for commercial sex. They are further alleged to have benefited financially from the sale of the victim.

As a result of their continued investigation, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit was able to identify a second underage female who Hutchinson is also alleged to have trafficked. Specifically, the defendant is alleged to have harbored and transported the 15-year-old victim for commercial sex. He is further alleged to have benefited financially from the sale of the victim.

About “Operation Not Forgotten”

“Operation Not Forgotten” is a multi-jurisdictional, joint operation aimed at recovering critically endangered missing children in the State of Georgia. This operation is led by the U.S. Marshals Service Missing Child Unit in conjunction with the agency's Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

In 2020, “Operation Not Forgotten” resulted in the rescue of 26 children, the safe location of 13 children and the arrest of nine criminal associates.

About the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit

In 2019, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp and leaders in the Georgia General Assembly, Attorney General Chris Carr created the first-of-its-kind statewide Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

Last year, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit led and assisted 33 case investigations and rescued and assisted 116 victims.

So far, the Unit has obtained 26 new convictions in 2023, all of which have included prison sentences.

The Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has 39 defendants who are currently under indictment for sex or labor trafficking, with some facing charges in multiple jurisdictions around the state.

The Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit is housed in the Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr’s Gang Prosecution Unit and his Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit.

Original source can be found here.

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