Prosecutors say the man and co-defendant brought a 17-year-old girl from Texas to Maryland for sexual purposes.
Frederick, Md. (DG) – The trial of a Houston, Texas man charged in a human trafficking case entered it’s second day in Frederick County Circuit Court.
Thirty-five-year-old Thomas Duane Jones is charged with human trafficking, 1st-degree rape, 1st-degree sex offense, 2nd-degree assault, and false imprisonment.
Prosecutors say Jones and co-defendant Marvin Armstrong brought a 17-year-old girl from Texas into Maryland for sexual purposes. State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said a Frederick City Police Officer testified Tuesday about what happened the day Jones was arrested.
“She testified that she made contact with the victim. She actually saw the injuries on the victim from jumping out of a van in an earlier incident, the victim was trying to get away,” Smith said.
He added the prosecution is expected to rest it’s case Wednesday.
‘We can’t guess about what the defense is gonna put on or not. But I believe we have allowed a couple of days for them to do whatever they are going to do, and that includes whether the defendant testifies or not,” Smith said.
Armstrong pleaded guilty in May to 2nd-degree assault, and 1st-degree sex offense. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.
-Dianah Gibson