Medford, Ore. – A man awaiting trial at the Jackson County Jail on rape charges related to an incident in 2014 now has additional charges for allegedly engaging in sex trafficking.
40-year-old Virgil Rucker was first charged in July of 2014 with sex abuse in the 3rd degree, rape in the 3rd degree, and two counts of rape in the 1st degree. The charges stemmed from an incident involving a 15-year-old girl.
Medford Police say that a California woman in her early 20s recently came forward with accusations that she was sex trafficked by Rucker in the Medford area over a several month period in 2014. After an investigation, police believe that Rucker used force and intimidation to get the victim to participate in the sex trade for a profit. Officers say the trafficking occurred at various hotels in the Medford area.
Rucker has been charged with three counts of trafficking in persons, three counts of compelling prostitution, and three counts of promoting prostitution. His bail has been set at over $3 million.
MPD says the case will be presented in front of a Grand Jury in the near future.
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