Giving money to prostitute. horizontal image, toned image

Baltimore madame indicted on 135 charges in maryland human trafficking case — Giving money to prostitute. horizontal image, toned image

BALTIMORE, MD—Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the indictment of Kenika Danielle Leach, a 33-year-old Baltimore resident, facing 135 counts related to operating a human trafficking ring. The indictment, issued by a Washington County grand jury, is the result of a comprehensive two-year investigation led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit.

Leach is accused of trafficking at least 11 women from Hagerstown to various hotels across Maryland to perform commercial indecent acts. The charges against her include managing a criminal organization and conspiracy to commit human trafficking by force, threat, coercion, or fraud.

The investigation began in December 2021 when Baltimore Police were alerted by hospital staff that a patient had been trafficked by Leach. The victim reported being moved from Hagerstown to the Baltimore area to engage in commercial acts, with Leach profiting and compensating her with drugs.

The multi-agency investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations and Maryland State Police, and relied heavily on evidence from cell phone, social media, and financial records. Investigators uncovered that Leach exploited the victims’ drug addictions, controlling their drug access to coerce them into human trafficking work, often receiving payments through the Cash App.

Physical violence and intimidation were also methods Leach allegedly used to control the victims, including ordering them to “get on the wall” to inflict beatings without harming their appearance.

Leach’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 24, 2024, in Washington County Circuit Court. Attorney General Brown emphasized the psychological and physical trauma inflicted on the victims, reaffirming his commitment to prosecuting such crimes to support community safety and victim recovery.

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