Human trafficking charges were dropped and bond was set Thursday for a man who is accused of holding six women against their wills in a Sandy Springs house.
Kenndric Roberts, 33, was arrested March 8 after one of the women called 911, telling police, “I’m in a very bad situation, and I need to get help,” officers said.
Majority of charges dropped against human trafficking suspect. Today at 4, why his attorney says the judge did the right thing. pic.twitter.com/Ihx6hMZlZz
— Mike Petchenik (@Mike_Petchenik) March 23, 2017
Bond for Roberts was set at $80,000 in a hearing in Fulton County Superior Court, according to Channel 2 Action News.
Of the 14 initial charges, the three that remain are two counts of false imprisonment and a weapons charge, according to Channel 2.
Attorney: This was not human trafficking.
— Mike Petchenik (@Mike_Petchenik) March 23, 2017
Initially, Roberts was charged with six counts each of false imprisonment and trafficking in forced labor, according to jail records. Also, he was facing two weapons charges before Thursday’s hearing.
A total of eight women were removed from the house, police said. Six indicated they were held against their wills.
Det. testifies Roberts forced the women to dance at the Pink Pony in Brookhaven, then took all their tips.
— Mike Petchenik (@Mike_Petchenik) March 23, 2017
Roberts allegedly forced the women to dance at the Pink Pony strip club and took $78,000 in tips from them, according to testimony by a police detective Thursday.
Roberts’ attorney, Mike Maloof Sr., said his client was “a poor man’s Hugh Hefner.” He said Roberts paid for health insurance for the women, and that they had housing and personal chef contracts, as well as stipends for beauty salons.
Attorney says Roberts paid for health insurance for the woman, provided them vehicles, expensive jewelry.
— Mike Petchenik (@Mike_Petchenik) March 23, 2017
The woman who called police said she met Roberts through the website seekingarrangement.com.
The 6,800-square-foot house where Roberts allegedly kept the women was rented, according to Mark Feinberg, president of the neighborhood homeowners association.
Attorney: "My client is a poor man's Hugh Hefner."
— Mike Petchenik (@Mike_Petchenik) March 23, 2017
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