According to a report, an Australian couple allegedly kept several 17- to 24-year-olds as sex slaves, some of whom were described as “owned” by the man.
Matthew James Markcrow, 35, and his girlfriend Crystal Marie Sawyer, 23, appeared in a Brisbane court on Friday after police discovered evidence supporting “sexual servitude and organized prostitution.” raids in Queensland this week, news.com.au reported.
Police allege that the victims were drugged while being subjected to controlled living, economic and working conditions.
Photos posted on social media by Markcrow also show tattoos marking some of the women as “Matt M’s property,” the medium said.
Markcrow was charged with practicing illegal prostitution, recording recordings that violated privacy, violating an electronic information order, and conducting a business related to the sexual servitude of a girl under the age of 18.
Sawyer was accused of engaging in illegal prostitution and violating an order on electronic information, news.com.au reported.
Markcrow has been kept in custody while his girlfriend received bail, despite allegations that he exercised control over the women and worries that he may run the business during her boyfriend’s absence.
“Police noticed that other girls were following Sawyer’s leadership during the search … he showed some control over the other girls,” the police sergeant said. Mark Hughes.
Defense attorney Lily Berkeley argued that there was no firm evidence that Sawyer had been involved in the business and said the charges were filed “somewhat prematurely.”
The judge granted Sawyer bail on the condition that he not contact the witnesses and must report to police twice a week.