A superior court judge denied a motion for a change of venue in the case of a Southport man charged with human trafficking of a child and promoting prostitution of a minor.
Kyle Bradley Wolfe, 21, was scheduled to go to trial May 19 but Adrian Iapalucci, Wolfe’s attorney, filed a motion for a change of venue in the case, arguing pre-trial publicity could influence potential jurors.
Superior Court Judge Claire Hill denied the motion Tuesday, which means the case will remain in Brunswick County.
Wolfe was arrested in May 2013 by the Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department after an investigation into advertisements for prostitution over the internet via social media websites, according to Boiling Spring Lakes Police Chief Bradford Shirley.
His co-defendant in the case–21-year-old Shawn Christopher Conley–pleaded guilty to human trafficking of a minor March 17. Conley was sentenced to 80-108 months in the N.C. Department of Corrections.
Related story: Brunswick man pleads guilty to human trafficking of a minor
In September 2013, Wolfe was indicted on several charges that stemmed from the investigation, including two counts of promoting prostitution of a minor, two counts of supervising, supporting or protecting minors for prostitution and two counts of human trafficking of a child victim.
In separate cases, Wolfe has also been indicted on charges of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary, two counts of breaking and entering and larceny, larceny of a firearm and safe cracking.
Wolfe is currently being held in the Brunswick County jail under an $830,500 secured bond.
A new trial date for Wolfe has not been scheduled.
Read previous coverage:
Three men indicted in connection with attempted robbery of fired police officer
Boiling Spring Lakes Police arrest two for promoting prostitution of a minor
Former Brunswick cop arrested on prostitution charge to make first court appearance Friday
