Miner charged with trafficking girl, 16, for sex

A miner was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with recruiting a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation in the interior.

The charge against Kelvin De Cruz is that between Decem-ber 1, 2014 and January 25, 2015, at West Fort, Cuyuni River, Essequibo, he engaged in human trafficking; that is, he recruited, transported and harboured a 16-year-old girl by means of deception, for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Kelvin De Cruz
Kelvin De Cruz

During in-camera proceedings, De Cruz pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore before whom he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The accused resides at Lot 5 First Street, Jonestown, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, and is known to the teenager.

De Cruz was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on February 2nd.