A Jasper County human trafficking case has resulted in multiple plea agreements and a life sentence for one defendant who chose to stand trial.
A total of six individuals entered plea agreements with the state for their roles in the case, which was investigated by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office for the 13th Circuit Court District. However, Tajik Jermaine Page (TJ Page) opted for a jury trial, which resulted in a guilty verdict after less than one hour of deliberation.
Following the two-day trial, District Attorney Chris Hennis and Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Wood secured Page’s conviction on human trafficking and sexual battery of a minor. Circuit Judge Stan Sorey sentenced Page to life in prison for human trafficking and an additional 30 years for the sexual battery charge.
The case came to light when a concerned citizen reported suspected sexual abuse of a minor. Investigators discovered that the child’s father had been exchanging the victim for sex in return for drugs.
Investigator Jody White played a pivotal role in identifying seven individuals involved in the case, with charges ranging from accessory after the fact to felony child abuse, sexual battery of a minor, and human trafficking. He worked closely with the District Attorney’s Office, using subpoenas, search warrants, and cell phone extractions to build a comprehensive case.
District Attorney Chris Hennis praised the collaboration between law enforcement and prosecutors, calling it a significant victory in the fight against human trafficking.
“To my knowledge, this is the first human trafficking case taken to trial by a district attorney’s office in the State of Mississippi,” Hennis stated. “The fact that this office took the case to trial and got a conviction was a proud moment. But what makes me even prouder is knowing that we were able to get justice for a child that had no one in her corner.”
