ROCKINGHAM — Two people are facing charges related to the alleged sexual trafficking of a young child.
According to warrants, 54-year-old Stacy Marie Brown, of just south of Hamlet, held a minor in sexual servitude in December of 2019. Antion Lee Sowell, 35, of East Rockingham, is accused of engaging in sexual acts with the reported victim.
The child was between the ages of 3 and 8, according to the warrants.
Investigators say the case was referred to the Rockingham Police Department by the Richmond County Department of Social Services and that the alleged incidents occurred within the city limits.
Warrants for the arrests of both Brown and Sowell were issued on Aug. 27, and both were arrested on Sept. 28.
Brown is charged with seven counts of human trafficking of a child victim. Sowell is charged with one count each of statutory sex offense with a child by an adult, committing a crime against nature, and taking indecent liberties with a child.
The defendants are being held in the Richmond County Jail, each under a $2 million secured bond. Both are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 9.
The case is still under investigation and more charges may be pending, according to RPD.
Online court records show Sowell is facing the following pending charges in Scotland County from the Laurinburg Police Department: two counts of breaking and entering; two counts of felony larceny; two counts of larceny after breaking and entering; two counts of felony conspiracy; and two counts of first-degree trespassing.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Sowell was convicted of misdemeanor larceny in 2004, felony breaking and entering in 2009, and possession of a firearm by a felon in 2020.
Brown appears to have no prior convictions.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
