Two women from Memphis find themselves behind bars in Tupelo, Mississippi, facing serious accusations of human trafficking. The Tupelo Police Department acted on a tip regarding alleged prostitution at a local motel on July 8, which led to the arrest of Terraneika Poplar, 19, and Destiney Plummer, 20. In the process, an underaged girl was rescued from the premises, as detailed in a report by Action News 5.
Both Poplar and Plummer faced the judge for their initial court appearance on the following day, July 9. During the proceedings, Judge Willie Allen decided to deny bond for the accused. The local police chief, John Quaka, expressed his dismay over the incident, stressing that "this is a despicable crime and TPD will use all available resources to make sure these offenders, or any future offenders, are brought to justice." This statement was obtained from a press release quoted by FOX13 Memphis.
The investigation drew in multiple agencies, including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services, and the Center for Violence Prevention. Echoing the seriousness of the charges, Chief Quaka further stated, "It saddens me that this type of crime occurs," in a sentiment shared across the community and echoed by law enforcement working on the case.
Plummer's past includes a brush with the law earlier this year, where she was charged with reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon following a street fight that resulted in the death of her mother. According to a report by WREG, court documents state that Plummer shot “in the direction” of the man accused of shooting her mother to death during the altercation and was subsequently released on a $5,000 bond.
The Tupelo Police Department urges anyone with knowledge of this case or similar crimes to come forward. The seriousness of human trafficking cannot be overstated, and community cooperation is essential in combating such activities. For those with information, the department has provided a contact at 662-841-6491, as announced in their public statement.
