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SHREWSBURY, Mass. – A man suspected of prostituting two women, one of them pregnant, from a hotel in Shrewsbury has been arrested following a Massachusetts State Police investigation.
On June 1, State Police received information that Anthony Mannes, 37, had rented a room with two unidentified women, 18 and 20, at a motel on Route 9 in Shrewsbury. Mannes had vacated the room, according to the State Police, leaving behind his and the women's belongings.
The Massachusetts State Police Special Services Section and the Worcester District Attorney's Office began an investigation into Mannes.
Simultaneously, the 18-year-old woman who was allegedly being trafficked by Mannes escaped from him and went to the Medford Police Department seeking help, according to State Police.
Further investigation by state and local police led to information suggesting that Mannes and the second trafficking victim, found by State Police to be 20 years old, pregnant and fearing for her safety, were somewhere in Connecticut.
The State Police issued a warrant for Mannes, charging him with trafficking persons for sexual servitude and deriving support from a prostitute.
Mannes was found in the Niantic Motel in Niantic, Conn., but fled when the Connecticut State Police went to arrest him, said the State Police. He and the second victim were found in a nearby wooded area.
Shortly after Mannes was arrested, he was hospitalized and, upon his release, was arrested as a fugitive from justice.
Mannes waived his opposition to rendition and was returned to the custody of the Massachusetts State Police on Wednesday. He was arraigned Thursday in Westborough District Court, where he was held on $50,000 cash bail. If he posts bail, he was ordered placed on a GPS bracelet.
Comments (3)
Only 2 to pick from........must have been Comfort Inn. Stuff like that does not go on at Worc City Motel. ---ya right.
Bigger story than Do-Jo Guy.
Please specifically inform people which "Route 9 Motel" this is.