Sex Trafficking Trial Set to Begin in Beaufort County

Sex Trafficking Trial Set to Begin in Beaufort County

Three major players from a human sex trafficking operation in Beaufort County are set to face trial after their preliminary hearings on August 2, 2024. Jaquan Duvall Barnes, William Youmans, and Alvin Bryan are accused of trafficking persons under the age of 18 and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The latter charge concerns their provision of drugs and housing to a minor female victim reported missing and their encouragement of her sex trafficking.

The Accused And Their Charges

Barnes and Youmans, who are still behind bars at Beaufort County Detention Center, had their hearings before Beaufort County Magistrate Thomas A. Holloway. Bryan, who has been released on bond, appeared before Beaufort County Magistrate Richard Brooks. The charges stem from activities believed to have taken place between February and March 2024.

Besides the overall trafficking and delinquency charges, Barnes is facing additional counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of unlawful escape. Note that the recent hearing wasn’t about the latter charge. Bryan and Youmans face the additional charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Their indictment states that they provided housing and drugs to the minor victim while encouraging the sex trafficking.

Building The Case

During the hearings, a detailed picture began to emerge of the relationships and activities between the defendants and the victim. It has been established that the minor was a runaway and a drug addict. She approached Bryan, a known drug dealer in Beaufort County and also her relative.

Bryan reportedly engaged in sexual transactions with the minor in exchange for drugs and shelter. Bryan then allegedly allowed her to leave, and she subsequently met Youmans, who transported her back to Bryan’s residence. Later, he relocated her to his home, where he continued the sexual exploitation and initiated conversations with Barnes about the minor. The transcripts of these conversations were found on their phones, validating the accusations.

Eventually, Youmans provided the minor victim to Barnes, who also exploited her sexually, offering her housing, food, and safety in exchange for sex acts. Barnes is further accused of exposing her to commercial sex activities, forcing her to create pornographic images, and ultimately advertising the victim on commercial sex websites. He is also believed to have handled all negotiations with the so-called Johns, arranging for commercial sex acts in various locations.

The suspected trafficking operation eventually came crashing down on March 5, when the Hardeeville Police tried to stop Barnes during a traffic stop. The minor was also in the car with him and later made statements that resulted in the larger-scale investigation.

Awaiting More Hearings

A fourth defendant, Guy Frank Talley III, is expected to have his hearing soon. He is charged with Trafficking in Persons, Victim Under 18 Years of Age, and two degrees of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. While the given testimonies revolve around one minor victim, sources claim that the actual figure is significantly higher. Currently, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the Beaufort Police Department, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, among others, are actively working on this ongoing investigation.