DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– A Florida man was indicted by a Grand Jury for allegedly trafficking women for sex at a Dauphin County hotel

Kerien Smith, 44, would allegedly give the women drugs for having sex with other men at the Roadway Inn in Swatara Township, according to the charges filed by Lower Swatara Township Police.

The five-page Grand Jury Presentment states that Smith also raped the one woman multiple times, including at gunpoint while she was in the shower.

On Oct. 3, 2018, an undercover detective spoke with two women after arranging to have sex for money, and they reported Smith was their “boss” and forced them to partake in “prostitution-based acts,” according to the Presentment. The detective saw text messages between one of the women and Smith about him bringing drugs and sexual items but after he asked how much they made.

According to the charging documents, the detective went to Smith’s house in Penbrook and watched him arrive at the hotel where he was taken into police custody. Police also found $5,195 in cash on Smith.

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Cocaine and fentanyl found in Smith’s pocket when he was at the booking center were “consistent” with the drug request along with other sexual items that he was requested to bring by the one woman, the Presentment states.

When the women were interviewed in April 2023, investigators learned that one victim would buy drugs from Smith at his home and he told her that she could not leave but had to have sex in hotels in exchange for money, according to the Presentment. Smith told her he had people watching her and would question her if she tried to leave the hotel.

Investigators learned the sexual encounters were arranged over a website and Smith would collect 90% of the money, the Presentment states.

Smith faces multiple charges that include felony counts of corrupt organizations, involuntary servitude, trafficking in individuals, promoting prostitution, and rape forcible compulsion along with other charges.

Smith is currently locked up in Dauphin County Prison with bail denied due to the nature of the charges, according to online court document. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 22.

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