COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 28-year-old Columbus man is accused of engaging in sex trafficking by means of force, threats, fraud and coercion.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio said Terrael Alexander Alls - aka “Ace” and “Rell” – was ordered to be detained after he appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge Tuesday after a criminal complaint charging him was unsealed.
Alls was arrested on March 31 in Licking County and appeared in federal court for his initial appearance on Monday.
According to court documents, an email received by the Columbus Division of Police regarding the possible trafficking was sent to the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.
An investigation by the task force, which spanned one year, led to Alls’ arrest.
“Court records contain disturbing testimony by two of the numerous victims as they describe what they’ve been through,” said Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “I admire their courage to come forward and encourage anyone else who may be a victim to reach out to law enforcement.”
“Human traffickers control their victims with abuse, fear and intimidation – which are difficult to overcome,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “Now that this defendant is in custody, we’re asking potential victims to contact law enforcement with any information about the case. If you’ve seen something, now is the time to say something.”
Alls is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life.
Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation or knowledge of additional victims of human trafficking is encouraged to contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446) or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888 and request to be connected with a member of the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.
