3 Charged In Gaston County Human Trafficking Investigation
GASTONIA, NC — The Gastonia Police Department says three people have been arrested in connection to a seven-month long investigation into human trafficking.
The investigation reportedly involved a teen that originated in Gastonia and included sexual encounters throughout the city and county. The arrests were made through a joint investigation involving the Gastonia and Gaston County Police Departments as well as the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force.
The three following suspects have been arrested and charged:
- Robert Allen Derr of Gastonia
- Human trafficking Child Victim (2 counts)
- First Degree Kidnapping (1 count)
- Accessory before the fact to a Felony (4 counts)
- Sexual Servitude (Child Victim) (1 Count)
- Indecent Liberties with Child (1 Count)
- Received a $1,000,000 bond
- Rhodri Omar Ross, Gastonia
- Statutory Rape with Child less than 15
- Statutory Sex Offense with Child less than 15
- First degree Kidnapping
- Bond has yet to be determined
- Jack Alexander Phillips of Belmont
- Statutory Rape of Child less than 15 (2 Counts)
- Received a $500,000 bond
All three suspects are being held in the Gaston County Jail.
