Howard County police have arrested a third person in connection with a human trafficking investigation involving a 16-year-old girl.Jessica Lynn Smitherman, 31, of Laurel, was charged with human trafficking. Police said investigators believe that Smitherman conspired with Andre Lamar Russell, 28, of Laurel, and Heather Lynn Harding, 23, of Woodbine, in late May and early June to force the teen into prostitution at motels in Jessup.Police said Smitherman helped coordinate prostitution appointments and forced the teen to perform sex acts for money, which Russell would then take for himself.Police said detectives believe Smitherman took pictures of the teen that were then posted on the website Backpage, advertising sexual services with the victim.Russell and Harding were arrested on June 1. Smitherman was arrested and charged on June 30.Smitherman remains held on $35,000 bond.Russell was indicted June 14 on multiple counts of human trafficking, human trafficking conspiracy, assault and drug charges. He is being held without bond.Harding was indicted June 28 on one count of human trafficking conspiracy. She was released on $35,000 bond.The victim was taken to a child advocacy center to connect her with appropriate housing and other services.Anyone with information about human trafficking in Howard County should call 410-313-STOP or email HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

Howard County police have arrested a third person in connection with a human trafficking investigation involving a 16-year-old girl.

Jessica Lynn Smitherman, 31, of Laurel, was charged with human trafficking. Police said investigators believe that Smitherman conspired with Andre Lamar Russell, 28, of Laurel, and Heather Lynn Harding, 23, of Woodbine, in late May and early June to force the teen into prostitution at motels in Jessup.

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Police said Smitherman helped coordinate prostitution appointments and forced the teen to perform sex acts for money, which Russell would then take for himself.

Police said detectives believe Smitherman took pictures of the teen that were then posted on the website Backpage, advertising sexual services with the victim.

Russell and Harding were arrested on June 1. Smitherman was arrested and charged on June 30.

Smitherman remains held on $35,000 bond.

Russell was indicted June 14 on multiple counts of human trafficking, human trafficking conspiracy, assault and drug charges. He is being held without bond.

Harding was indicted June 28 on one count of human trafficking conspiracy. She was released on $35,000 bond.

The victim was taken to a child advocacy center to connect her with appropriate housing and other services.

Anyone with information about human trafficking in Howard County should call 410-313-STOP or email HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.