'Somebody is trying to use them for illicit sex activities'
EUGENE, Ore. -- Homeless advocates say news of teen sex trafficking ring is sad but not an isolated case.
"I know it does go on in Eugene," said Bill Daniels, a volunteer with Hosea Youth Services, a shelter for homeless teens.
Daniels said he has worked with homeless teens for 17 years. In that time, he estimates hundreds of teens, both girls and boys, have spoken with him about prostitution.
"Somebody is trying to use them for illicit sex activities for pornography or exchange sexual favors for a place to live," said Daniels.
On Wednesday, federal authorities indicted Eugene-Springfield residents Hollie Spriggs, Stanley Spriggs Junior and Sharlise Duckworth on charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and two counts of sex trafficking of minors. Duckworth pleaded not guilty. Hollie Spriggs and Stanley Spriggs Jr. have not yet been arraigned.
According to court documents, the suspects recruited two underage girls to work as prostitutes, posted their photos in prostitution ads on Craiglist and other websites. The suspects allegedly rented motel rooms in Springfield for the girls to meet with clients, drove them to appointments with clients and gave the girls instructions to charge certain dollar amounts for specific sexual acts and time spent with customers.
Stories like that are common, said Daniels, who said people prey on homeless teens because they are vulnerable.
Resources specifically for homeless youths are limited in Lane County. Hosea Youth Services is open three days a week. Teens can also drop in at the Saint Vincent dePaul First Place Family Center, another day center. Looking Glass runs a program for homeless teens, but space is limited. According to Hosea volunteers, many teens do not feel comfortable at shelters for older homeless people.
"If they don't have a place where they can get off the streets and away from predatory people prowling for them, then problems like this will persist," said Daniels.
Eugene Police investigated the trafficking ring with the FBI. Earlier this year, an undercover EPD detective said online prostitution is a growing problem in Lane County.
