Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – July 31, 2024 – A Jonesboro man was charged with Trafficking of Persons this week, a charge rarely seen in NEA.
Jonesboro police were patrolling on South Caraway Road when they noticed Pierre Pertiller, known to officers to be on probation. He got defensive when he was approached and refused to answer basic questions.
Under the conditions of his probation, his cell phone was searchable, but he refused to give officers his passcode. After he was handcuffed and arrested for Obstruction of Governmental Operations, he gave up his passcode.
CashApp was open on his phone and it showed a number of transactions totaling over $8,000 from an account belonging to a woman. Officers found text messages that gave the implication that the woman was working as a prostitute for Pertiller out of a motel on Caraway. The messages referenced a specific room number. Officers knocked on the listed door and a woman answered.
She matched the photo on the CashApp profile. Officers ran a check on her and found out she was also on probation. They viewed messages on her phone where she was making arrangements with potential customers, even discussing half-hour and hourly rates.
Sgt Bill Brown made contact with the victim, first making sure she was okay, then asking about her situation. She said she’d been with Pertiller for several months, regularly giving him money for the motel room and food. She figured she’d made at least $7,000 in a few months, but she’d given the majority of it to him. She said Pertiller had threatened her with being arrested and he also said he’d take her dog away.
She told Brown she knew that what she was doing was illegal, but she didn’t feel like she had a choice.
In his probable cause hearing, Pertiller was charged with Trafficking of Persons and his bond was set at $250,000 cash only. He was given conditions of an ankle monitor and a No Contact Order with the victim.
