Four adult men have been booked into the Cowley County Jail on allegations that include aggravated human trafficking following a Winfield Police Department investigation that led officers to two out-of-state juvenile girls and uncovered what investigators believe may be part of an organized, interstate criminal operation.
Police Chief Robbie DeLong also sought to dispel rumors circulating on social media that the juveniles had been abducted from the Cowley County Fair, calling those claims false.
“I just learned today there are rumors going around that juveniles might have been abducted from the fair,” DeLong told Cowley Post Tuesday afternoon. “This is not accurate information.”
He added that neither victims nor suspects had any connection to the Cowley County Fair.
DeLong also said investigators do not currently believe the case involves sexual exploitation.
Instead, detectives believe the juveniles were allegedly exploited in connection with theft and fraudulent activity. DeLong emphasized the investigation remains ongoing and additional evidence could emerge as detectives continue their work.
According to DeLong, the investigation began after Winfield officers were contacted by a neighboring law enforcement agency regarding what was believed to be an organized theft operation.
Officers later located one of the juveniles near the Winfield Walmart. During the initial investigation, police developed information indicating the juvenile had been involved in fraudulent activity inside the store to illegally obtain merchandise. Continue below ad.
As detectives continued their investigation, DeLong said officers developed indicators that the juvenile may have been the victim of human trafficking. She was taken into protective custody.
Through interviews, investigators learned adults believed to be associated with the juvenile remained in Winfield and could be traveling with another juvenile.
During a subsequent traffic stop, officers obtained sufficient information to arrest the adults. A second juvenile girl was also located and taken into protective custody.
DeLong said investigators believe the suspects had been traveling from state to state and that the case may be part of a larger organized operation, although the full scope of that operation remains unclear.
Investigators also believe the adults recruited younger people because they are able to gain the confidence of others more easily and are less likely to draw suspicion while participating in fraudulent activity, DeLong said.
Booked into the Cowley County Jail were Christopher N. White, 20; Demone D. McNeal, 21; Anjulo A. Wright-McGhee, 22; and Malik D. Charleston, 25.
According to jail records, each was booked on allegations of aggravated human trafficking. They were also booked on allegations including child endangerment, contributing to a child’s misconduct and drug-related offenses. White, McNeal and Charleston were additionally booked on allegations of possessing stolen property valued at more than $1,000, while Wright-McGhee was booked on an allegation of felony theft.
Each defendant’s bond was set at $258,000, according to the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office.
The four were booked into the jail shortly after midnight Saturday following the investigation.
As of the time of this report, all four remained in the Cowley County Jail in Winfield, according to online jail records.
Because none of the adults or juveniles involved are from the Winfield area, DeLong said detectives have been coordinating with agencies outside Cowley County as the investigation continues.
Police said additional information is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
