Irving Teen Arrested For Sex Trafficking
IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - Authorities in Irving arrested a high school student after investigators said that the teen had forced a classmate into prostitution. Both students attend Nimitz High School in Irving.
The situation unfolded after the 15-year-old girl went to police and said that she had been the victim of a sexual assault nearly two weeks ago. Then, on Monday, police arrested 17-year-old Travis Lekas, one of the victim's fellow students.
According to investigators, Lekas kept the girl at his home for three days. During that time, he gave her alcohol, marijuana and a prescription drug used to treat anxiety. Authorities said that Lekas also tried to recruit other young girls into prostitution, and they are seeing if there are any victims who have yet to come forward.
Dr. Dana Bedden is the superintendent of the Irving Independent School District. "We are treating this matter seriously," she said. "We will provide counseling and other support to any student who may be affected by the investigation." The school district is cooperating with the police department investigation into this case, and said that it will keep parents informed with the latest details.
Additionally, the school sent a letter to parents on Tuesday to inform them about the arrest. Click here to read that letter.
Some students at the high school were not surprised by the allegations against Lekas. But local mom Jennifer Stevens, who said that she has worked with troubled kids including Lekas and the victim, defended the accused student. She claimed that the 15-year-old girl was already selling her body, and she was not being forced into anything.
Lekas remains behind bars in Irving, charged with one count of compelling prostitution and one count of sexual performance by a child. His bond is set at $175,000.
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