Man charged with drug charges now facing child sex-trafficking allegations
May 12—A West Toledo man indicted last week on federal drug charges now faces accusations of sex-trafficking a 17-year-old girl, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Toledo
Derrick Murphy, 38, of the 1700 block of Stahlwood Avenue, was initially indicted last week with co-defendants Phillip Cabbage, 53, of Lewisville, Texas; Francisco Murillo, 43, of San Jose, Calif.; Nelly Alvarez, 26, of Los Angeles; and William Wilson, 55, of the 800 block of Prouty Avenue for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
On Tuesday, a separate charge of sex trafficking of a minor was filed in federal court from allegations beginning Nov. 1 until Thursday, after he continued to contact the girl even though he was incarcerated for the drug offense. He appeared before a federal judge Wednesday.
Mr. Murphy, who is being held at the Lucas County jail, waived his right to a detention hearing and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 20.
If convicted of child sex trafficking, Mr. Murphy faces up to life in prison, according to federal prosecutors.
Mr. Murphy's defense attorney Thomas Kurt declined to comment Wednesday.
In April, the Northwest Ohio Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force received information from the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor in Toledo and Detroit, according to the criminal complaint. Mr. Murphy used the same phone number to allegedly communicate with the minor and for potential customers to contact him about setting up "a date" with the girl.
Investigators searched the advertisements on various websites, locating more than 250 posts since Jan. 3 that offered sexual services in Toledo and Detroit in exchange for money. The advertisements contained photos of a young female posing in a provocative manner, according to the complaint.
Task force members identified the 17-year-old girl in the advertisements because they came in contact with her about six months ago after she reportedly ran away from her home in Atlanta.
Police then set up an undercover operation in an effort to locate her and remove her from that lifestyle, according to the complaint.
On Thursday, an undercover officer contacted the girl and they agreed to meet at the Alexis Motel at 217 W. Alexis Rd. The girl arrived at the motel, where task force members and Toledo police waited for her. She was taken into custody and interviewed by an FBI agent.
The girl reportedly met Mr. Murphy in November, when she was 16 but claimed to be 17. For the first three months, he provided care for all of her needs and put her up in an apartment, records show.
After the span of three months, he began talking to her about making money together and about "being her pimp," according to the criminal complaint. He purchased the girl's clothing, cell phone, and items like condoms that were used during the sexual acts.
The girl said she performed at least three sex acts at a Toledo apartment in the 2200 block of West Sylvania Avenue, and he also drove her to hotels in Southfield, Mich., where she was forced to perform in 10 to 15 commercial sex acts under his direction, according to court records.
If she went to Michigan for a three-day weekend, she would return with $3,500 to $5,000 — which was then turned over to Mr. Murphy, according to the allegations.
About a month ago, records state, Mr. Murphy assaulted the girl when she could not turn over $500 he was allegedly owed. Mr. Murphy also slapped her when she refused to record sexual acts with multiple men.
Mr. Murphy was arrested April 27 and booked in the Lucas County jail on the federal drug charges. He continued to contact her from jail and told her she "needed to make $500 a week for him," according to the complaint.
Previous aggravated robbery, robbery, and felonious assault charges against Mr. Murphy were dismissed in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, but he has prior Toledo Municipal Court convictions for several disorderly conduct offenses and traffic violations.
First Published May 12, 2021, 1:52pm
