re: 'Disturbing' human trafficking arrests made in Natchitoches

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Didn't even read this story

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So you just want to talk out of your arse?

Idiot

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Some skank wants to rent her cooch, who are we to judge?

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You are a stupid person.

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Some skank wants to rent her cooch, who are we to judge? 

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Willfully chained herself down to rent out her stuff.... Cmon bro...

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Didn't even read this story but I do love how "human trafficking" is the new buzzword for prostitution. Some skank wants to rent her cooch, who are we to judge?

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Dick.

OK. So I caught a butt load of flak for my earlier comment regarding my opinion that "Human Trafficking" is simply a new buzzword for government entities, celebrity/social groups and politicians to make it look like they are doing something. Granted, I didn't read the entire story like I should have so I went back this morning and researched over coffee. Guess what? Despite the depravity of that situation, I was right. There wasn't a single thing in that story or any of these stories lately that isn't covered by existing statutes. They beat her? Battery charges. They held her against her will? False Imprisonment. They took her against her will? Kidnapping. In fact, although the three arrested were charged with "Human Trafficking" (cue press release) they were also charged with each of. The individual crimes I mentioned. BTW, zero indication a firearm was involved at any point yet they announce the seizure of 17 guns from the guy and put them on a table for press photographs. Scary huh? My point was, we need fewer laws with effective enforcement and not feel good buzzwords.

So what is this whole HUMAN TRAFFICKING thing about? Hmmm, I reviewed the statute as well. Did anyone else read it? Because the only point to it that isn't covered in existing statutes is near the end. FORFEITURE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY for people arrested for this crime. I really hate forfeiture. We think you did it so we are going to take your stuff and you have to sue us to get it back. This is the worst government policy around. They don't prove you did it, you prove you didn't.

So I stand by the spirit of my original comment. "Human Trafficking" is a load of crap. The events related in the OP are certainly bizarre and OT worthy though.

Statute text below for anyone who wants to study up.

§46.2. Human trafficking

A. It shall be unlawful:

(1) For any person to knowingly recruit, harbor, transport, provide, solicit, obtain, or maintain the use of another person through fraud, force, or coercion to provide services or labor.

(2) For any person to knowingly benefit from activity prohibited by the provisions of this Section.

(3) For any person to knowingly facilitate any of the activities prohibited by the provisions of this Section by any means, including but not limited to helping, aiding, abetting, or conspiring, regardless of whether a thing of value has been promised to or received by the person.

B.(1) Except as provided in Paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Subsection, whoever commits the crime of human trafficking shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than ten years.

(2) Whoever commits the crime of human trafficking when the services include commercial sexual activity or any sexual conduct constituting a crime under the laws of this state shall be fined not more than fifteen thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than twenty years.

(3) Whoever commits the crime of human trafficking when the trafficking involves a person under the age of eighteen shall be fined not more than twenty-five thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than five nor more than twenty-five years, five years of which shall be without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

(4)(a) In addition, the court shall order that the personal property used in the commission of the offense shall be seized and impounded, and after conviction, sold at public sale or public auction by the district attorney in accordance with R.S. 15:539.1.

(b) The personal property made subject to seizure and sale pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph may include, but shall not be limited to, electronic communication devices, computers, computer related equipment, motor vehicles, photographic equipment used to record or create still or moving visual images of the victim that are recorded on paper, film, video tape, disc, or any other type of digital recording media.