Florida man facing kidnapping, human trafficking charges

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 3/5/19

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — A Florida man is facing federal charges after being picked up in Robertsdale on kidnapping and human trafficking charges when the alleged victim contacted authorities from a …

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Florida man facing kidnapping, human trafficking charges

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — A Florida man is facing federal charges after being picked up in Robertsdale on kidnapping and human trafficking charges when the alleged victim contacted authorities from a local gas station/convenience store.

Tee-Henry Wulu Currens, 22, of Orange Park, Florida, was booked into the Baldwin County Corrections Center on Saturday, charged with kidnapping, first degree; human trafficking, second degree; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is now being held without bond as a detainer for hold stemming from charges with the Department of Homeland Security (ICE).

Lt. Rex Bishop, chief investigator with the Robertsdale Police Department, said a call came in through dispatch at around 7:30 a.m. Saturday from a woman claiming that she had been kidnapped from Jacksonville, Florida, and had managed to escape at the Chevron station on the corner of U.S. 90 and County Road 71 in Robertsdale.

“When officers arrived on the scene, the suspect was still on the premises,” Bishop said. “She thought he had left, but he had just gone around the corner.”

Bishop said Currens and the woman, who has been identified only as a 34-year-old white female, were in route from Jacksonville to Mobile for Mardi Gras.

“We believe this is not just a random act,” Bishop said. “We believe that Currens and (the woman) knew each other.”

Authorities in Jacksonville and federal authorities have been assisting in the investigation, Bishop said. It is unclear at this time what additional charges Currens may face.

While both Currens and the alleged victim are U.S. citizens, the Department of Homeland Security handles all cases involving human trafficking at the federal level.