Man arrested on human trafficking charges after investigation in Wilmington area

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office has announced that an arrest has been made following an investigation into human trafficking in the Wilmington area.

The Coastal Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, comprised of law enforcement members from the FBI, NHCSO and Onslow County Sheriff's Office, investigated advertisements posted to an escort website. The individual posting these advertisements sought vulnerable women to be their “sugar daddy.”

The sheriff's office says that 70-year-old Jesse Lonzo Teal was identified as the source of these advertisements. The task force interviewed several victims who engaged in commercial sex allegedly arranged by Teal, and advertisements picturing the victims were located on known websites used to traffic victims.

On Nov. 29, Teal was arrested on 12 charges related to human trafficking. He was given a $100,000 bond.

Additionally, on Dec. 19, Teal was charged with:

• 7 counts of 1st-degree exploitation of a minor
• 7 counts of 3rd-degree exploitation of a minor
• 2nd-degree exploitation of a minor
• Patronizing a minor

As of this time, Teal is in the New Hanover County Detention Facility under a $200,000 secure bond.

“We know right now of three victims he was trafficking and that's a horrible crime,” said Lt. Jerry Brewer with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office. “Anytime we get anything involved with that we're on it and we can make arrest. In particular, we were able to identify the victims, get information from them and then get him arrested.”

Dawn Ferrer, the executive director of A Safe Place, an organization that helps trafficking victims in our area, says the arrest is a reminder that human trafficking is a serious issue in Wilmington. She says around 120 women have sought help from the organization this year alone.

“We do like to hear when an arrest is made because they are few and far between,” Ferrer said. “So, we are happy when it comes down to the fact that we can finally hold people accountable.”

Ferrer says the average age of trafficking victims in Wilmington is 31, with one victim as young as 14. She says parents should warn their kids that predators lurk online.

“It's just educating kids to listen to their gut a lot of times, you know, if something just doesn't feel right, if that person is starting to isolate you from your friends and family, saying things like, ‘You know, I know you better than anyone does. You can trust me. Don't you don't need to talk to anybody else. I'm enough.',” Ferrer said.

Authorities ask that anyone with information relating to Teal's case or other human trafficking matters reach out to the NHCSO at (910) 798-4260.

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