19-year-old woman charged for allegedly forcing teen runaway into sexual slavery

Keep going for an explainer on how sex and human trafficking has impacted Houston. Keep going for an explainer on how sex and human trafficking has impacted Houston. Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close 19-year-old woman charged for allegedly forcing teen runaway into sexual slavery 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

A 19-year-old Houston woman is behind bars for her alleged involvement in forcing a runaway teenage girl into sexual slavery.

Denise Coronado was charged with compelling prostitution, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in state prison, according to a press release from the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

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The 14-year-old girl told authorities she was walking down the street when she was pulled into a van. She was driven into the woods and held against her will for five days. Then, she was taken to a Houston motel, where she met Coronado.

The girl told authorities she was threatened, burned with a cigarette and made to engage in prostitution. Coronado photographed the girl for an advertisement and published it on Backpage.com, according to the district attorney's office.

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During a one-week period in March, the girl was forced to have sex with more than two dozen men. Eventually, she escaped.

The Houston Police Vice Division's Human Trafficking Unit is continuing to investigate the case.

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Coronado has prior charges in Harris County of possession of marijuana under two ounces, assault of a family member and assault causing bodily injury. She pled guilty to the marijuana and assault of a family member charges.

Coronado was arrested Thursday and is being held in the Harris County Jail. She is expected to appear in court Monday for arraignment.