Charges Strengthened Against Alleged Sex Trafficker
MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. (STMW) - A northwest suburban massage parlor owner accused of branding female workers with tattoos was charged Thursday with sex trafficking of children by force, a superseding indictment said.
Alex A. Campbell is accused of forcing women to work at his massage parlor, keeping their earnings through extortion and allegedly forcing some to have sex with him and each other, according to charges.
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Campbell operated the Day and Night Spa in Mount Prospect and allegedly "branded" the women who worked there with the same horseshoe tattoos. One woman told authorities he forced her to get three tattoos.
Campbell is accused of making extortionate demands of the women, including from one victim who told federal agents that she paid Campbell $10,000 after he promised he'd help her.
After that, he demanded sex from her and forced her to have sex with another woman while he videotaped it, according to charges unsealed in January.
Campbell then allegedly upped his demand of money and told her he'd broadcast the footage if she didn't pay up, according to the charges.
On Thursday, a superseding indictment charged Campbell with interference with commerce by threat of violence and aiding and abetting to sex trafficking of children by force, fraud or coercion and aiding and abetting.
Additionally, charges of unlawful employment of aliens was changed to bringing in and harboring aliens, the superseding indictment said.
An 11th count was also added, where Campbell was charged with sex trafficking of children by force, fraud or coercion and aiding and abetting according to the superseding indictment.
Danielle "Princess John, 24, admitted in November to helping Campbell by hiding the women's legal status and is expected to cooperate in the case and testify at Campbell's trial as part of her plea deal.
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