(Seguin) — Two Katy residents have been arrested and charged with human trafficking and aggravated sexual assault.
Seguin Police say a welfare check in Seguin early Wednesday morning led to the rescue of a woman who told police she had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted.
According to the Seguin Police Department, officers responded at approximately 12:47 a.m. to a report of a 26-year-old woman yelling for help in the 1600 block of State Highway 123 Bypass – north of Interstate 10.
When officers arrived, they located the woman at a nearby residence.
During the investigation, the woman told officers she had been kidnapped from the Katy area and sexually assaulted by the two individuals.
Police say officers quickly located the two suspects nearby. They were identified as 26-year-old Brian Smith and 25-year-old Haiyan Lee, both of Katy.
Smith and Lee were each charged with aggravated sexual assault and trafficking of a person. They were transported to the Guadalupe County Jail, where each is being held on bonds totaling $2 million. That’s a $1 million bond for each charge.
Seguin police say they are using this incident to remind the public that human trafficking can occur in any community. Officials say potential warning signs include individuals who appear fearful or controlled, are unable to speak freely, do not have access to their own identification or money, or are unable to leave their situation.
Officials say anyone who believes they or someone they know may be experiencing human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or by texting HELP or INFO to 233733 (BEFREE). The hotline is available 24 hours a day. Anyone witnessing an emergency or someone in immediate danger should call 911.