Undercover law enforcement at Wind Creek Bethlehem discovered a human trafficking operation and are now accusing a city man of forcing various women into prostitution.
A city woman is also charged in the operation, accused of posting prostitution ads of those women online.
Robert Demitrius Birch and Cittdata O. Jarnagin, both 50, each are charged with felony trafficking in individuals; felony involuntary servitude; felony dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities; and felony corrupt organizations.
Birch Additionally is facing a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia charge and Jarnagin additionally is facing felony encouraging prostitution and misdemeanor theft charges.
Birch is scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning before Roy A. Manwaring II on the charges. Jarnagin was arraigned earlier Friday morning before District Judge Daniel G. Corpora, who set bail at $200,000. In lieu of bail, she was taken to Northampton County Prison.
Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta announced the arrests Friday morning. Attorney information was not immediately available for either co-defendant in court records.
Bethlehem police, along with members of the Northampton County Drug Task Force, the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Northampton County District Attorney’s Office and other local police departments on Jan. 16 began participation in a joint sex trafficking and prostitution interdiction operation at the casino.
They had their eyes on any human or sex trafficking activity happening in and around the casino, 77 Wind Creek Blvd. Investigators soon discovered a website advertising prostitution and facilitating sex trafficking, which included a local meeting point at Wind Creek Bethlehem.
Officers set up surveillance observing Jarnagin being dropped off outside the casino by Birch and him driving away, authorities said.
Police stopped Birch and searched his car, finding drug paraphernalia, authorities said. He was then arrested.
Witnesses told police they were familiar with Jarnagin. She also went by the nickname, “Kitty.” The witnesses, all women, were allegedly posted onto various online websites by Jarnagin. Birch’s role involved controlling the women involved in a prostitution enterprise and he would profit from the sex acts, the DA’s Office said.
Jarnagin is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 12. Birch also will have a preliminary hearing scheduled following his arraignment.
A judge will then determine if there’s sufficient evidence to send the case onto the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.
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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
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