SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — It’s the time of year when Port City Daily counts down its most read pieces throughout 2023.
CATCH UP: No. 2 Most Read Story of 2023: ‘OBX’ to film season 4 in ILM
In the spring, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office announced a six-month investigation into multiple human trafficking cases culminated in the arrests of five men connected to Cape Fear Escorts/Entertainers.
The investigation revealed the company recruited 150 people by promising them thousands of dollars for dancing. Then it would have the victims engage in “commercial sex acts” and kept the proceeds.
One of the six arrested was Jesse Bright, a former Wilmington defense attorney and Uber driver.
Six years ago, Bright recorded a traffic stop interaction upon being pulled over by a Wilmington Police Department officer. Wilmington Police Sgt. Kenneth Becker told him he could go to jail for recording law enforcement personnel — which is not true. The video went viral on social media and in the news.
Bright was arrested in the Cape Fear Escorts case with four felony counts of promotion and profiting from prostitution.
Also arrested was Christopher Todd Evans with 166 felony counts originally, but had 62 added later. Christopher Slate Arrowood faces 80 felony counts, Chandler David Anderson 66 felony counts, Dustin Lee Anderson 16 felony counts, and Michael Hunter Snow six felony counts.
At the end of November, another suspect was arrested tied to the case. According to WECT, Brandon Hollamon was charged with 17 felony counts.
Below is the original story, with followups published here and here:
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