Police: NY man held teen, woman captive for months

LINDENHURST, N.Y. - Andy Gayot, a suburban New York man, is accused of holding a 21-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl captive for months and forcing them to work as prostitutes.

Suffolk County Police say the woman was held for over a year. The teenager was allegedly held for about four months. CBS New York reports the teen was a runaway.

Police say the 35-year-old Gayot was arrested Tuesday at his Lindenhurst home. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday to prostitution, rape, unlawful imprisonment, weapons and drug charges.

Defense attorney Larry Flowers says Gayot denies the allegations and will be found innocent once all the facts are known.

Authorities refused to say anything about the condition or whereabouts of the alleged victims.

Police, probation officers and FBI agents went to the house because of a probation department warrant. Authorities said they had sensed something suspicious at the house during a prior visit.

Det. Lt. Robert Edwards told CBS New York that Gayot used "physical abuse, threats of force, intimidation and large amounts of narcotics to keep [the women] more or less compliant."