(DELAWARE, Ohio) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O'Brien announced today the arrest and multi-count indictment of a man accused of coercing several women to prostitute themselves in both Delaware and Franklin counties.
Members of a Delaware County grand jury indicted David Nelms, of Columbus, on 17 charges, including:
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity with a Human Trafficking Specification
- Trafficking in Persons
- Trafficking in Heroin
- Possession of Heroin
- Compelling Prostitution with a Human Trafficking Specification, 5 counts
- Promoting Prostitution with a Human Trafficking Specification, 8 counts
Officers with Attorney General DeWine's Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force took Nelms into custody late Monday afternoon after several hours of surveillance led to a traffic stop at the intersection of State Route 161 and Interstate 71.
Investigators with the task force began investigating Nelms in 2011 after receiving a tip. Authorities believe the suspect may have trafficked up to a dozen women over a period of several years.
"Many people think human trafficking only involves transporting people from exotic, foreign locations," said Attorney General DeWine.
According to task force members, Nelms allegedly advertised the women in online escort websites, offering sexual activity for cash. Authorities said Nelms coerced the victims into the activity by taking advantage of their drug addictions and withholding their drugs until they complied with his demands. Investigators said the human trafficking activity took place at multiple upscale hotels in the greater Columbus area.
"This indictment reveals that human trafficking is not always a big city crime - it also happens in Delaware County," said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O'Brien. "Without the specialized work of the task force, the challenge of tracking down and prosecuting offenders like David Nelms would be difficult. It is because of their effort that Nelms is in custody and facing criminal prosecution."
Authorities also believe there could be additional victims who have yet to be identified. Anyone with information is urged to call the Columbus Police Department at 614-645-4545 or the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446).
The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force is part of Attorney General DeWine's Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission which is primarily made up of officers from the Columbus Police Department, along with officers from BCI, the Powell Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI/ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office.
This is the second set of indictments by DeWine's newly formed task force and is an example of the results that can be achieved through inter-agency collaboration.
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Images
Photograph of David Nelms (JPEG)
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840