King County Metro Security Boss Arrested on Suspicion of Human Trafficking

The head of security for King County Metro was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of sex trafficking with a person who provided childcare for his children, according to the King County Sheriff's Office (KSCO).

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Mark L. Norton, the superintendent of transit security and emergency management for King County Metro, was arrested in Stanwood on Tuesday and booked into jail for allegedly "coercing a female to engage in commercial sex acts in King and Snohomish Counties." Norton, 45, allegedly "groomed" the victim for five years while the victim was a babysitter for Norton's children, using "emotional and psychological coercion [to] convince the victim to participate in prostitution for his benefit," according to the news release.

Norton allegedly forced the victim to engage in sex acts for money around the Seattle area.

"Eventually the suspect operated as a pimp and pressured the victim to engage in prostitution on numerous occasions throughout Seattle, Lynnwood and Everett. The suspect arranged the prostitution online and kept the money brought by people wanting to have sex with the victim," the KSCO press release said.

The press release did not say if Norton has been charged with a crime.

Somewhat ironically, King County Metro's buses were recently covered with anti-trafficking signs as part of a regional campaign led by the King County Council to fight human trafficking.