Posey indicted for human trafficking

MOUNT VERNON — Richard L. Posey Jr., already under indictment on several drug trafficking charges, was indicted Monday by the Knox County grand jury with eight additional charges, including one count of trafficking in persons, with a specification; three counts of compelling prostitution, each with specification; and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

He is now charged with a total of 15 counts.

According to a press release from Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, between July 15 and Sept. 11, Posey allegedly transported women from Mount Vernon to Cleveland to engage in prostitution against their will and in exchange for drugs. Posey also allegedly engaged in drug trafficking activity in Mount Vernon, in association with Mary McGregor, Teaca Lowe, Shannon Kitts, Randy McGregor and Demonno Rhodes who also face drug charges. The investigation began when the Mount Vernon Police Department, Emergency Services Unit, executed a search warrant at Posey’s Coshocton Avenue apartment, on Sept. 11.

Thatcher said “human trafficking and prostitution, in conjunction with drug trafficking, are not just big city crimes. This type of criminal activity happens in smaller cities, too, as evidenced by recent human trafficking cases filed in Delaware and Chillicothe.”

Mount Vernon police investigating the case referred all questions to the prosecutor’s office, but Thatcher was not available for comment prior to the News deadline.

“Compelling prostitution” is inducing another person to engage in sexual activity for hire, while “trafficking in persons” involves obtaining or transporting a person to be subjected to involuntary servitude, or compelled to “engage in sexual activity for hire, engage in a performance that is obscene, sexually oriented or nudity oriented, or be a model or participant in the production of material that is obscene, sexually oriented, or nudity oriented.”

“Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity” says that “no person employed by, or associated with, any enterprise, shall conduct or participate in, directly or indirectly, the affairs of the enterprise through a pattern of corrupt activity or the collection of an unlawful debt.”

The specifications on the human trafficking and compelling prostitution charges calls for an extra mandatory prison sentence if the suspect “knowingly committed the offense in furtherance of human trafficking.”

Posey was originally arrested Sept. 11, by Mount Vernon police following a months-long investigation. He was indicted on multiple drug charges, including two counts of trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine and aggravated possession of drugs, a total of seven counts.

Indicted along with Posey was Mary K. McGregor, 32, of Mount Vernon, who was charged with trafficking in heroin and permitting drug abuse for allegedly allowing her apartment to be used for drug trafficking activity.

She was not cited in any additional charges Tuesday.

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