Five arrested following human trafficking sting at 7 Clans First Council

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

NEWKIRK — Five defendants were detained and arrested on prostitution charges at 7 Clans First Council Casino in a joint task force investigating human trafficking.

Tammy Ranae Schmidt, Jessica Marie McPherson, Catrina Monique Profit, Adrian Osvaldo Ortiz and My Linh Nguyen are each facing charges of engaging in prostitution. Nguyen is also facing a charge of distribution of a CDS with intent to distribute. All charges are misdemeanors.

The arrests came during a joint task force with the Eighth District Attorney’s office, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Otoe-Missouria Police Department investigating human trafficking, according to court records.

Agent Ronald Teel reported in a probable cause affidavit that law enforcement officers answered online escort ads for receiving sexual acts. An undercover officer reportedly approached McPherson and Nguyen, and they went into a hotel room where Nguyen reportedly agreed to have sex with the officer for $60. McPherson agreed for $800.

McPherson and Nguyen were detained and moved to a new location for questioning.

When searching the room, agents reportedly found crystal-like substances in bags, and burning devices and residue in a glass.

Ortiz, Profit and Schmidt were arrested on similar charges after agreeing to have sex with an undercover officer. Profit agreed to $460, Ortiz, $500 and Schmidt, $400, court documents show.