A Fulton County Grand Jury has returned a 15-count indictment against a man accused of enticing, recruiting and then harboring eight women against their will in a lavish Sandy Springs home.
The indictment, which was returned Friday, charges Kenndric Roberts, 33, with six counts of trafficking a person for labor servitude felony, six counts of false imprisonment, two counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and participation in criminal street gang activity.
The investigation started earlier this month after a woman inside a home on Strauss Lane called 911, asking for help getting out. Police released the 911 call, which revealed the 20-year-old woman who asked for help wanted to leave the home, but feared her “boss” would kill her. She said during the call that the other women in the home were being forced to dance for money.
Sandy Springs police requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s assistance in the investigation. Officers and agents ended up rescuing the eight women from the home, and Roberts was taken into custody. Police said there were expensive cars at the home, as well as an AK-47.
In a news release Friday, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said during the investigation, police learned Roberts was a Gangster Disciple’s gang member. Investigators said he required the women to get gang-related tattoos as a “sign of their loyalty.”
Thursday, before the indictment returned, Fulton County Judge Jesse Law dropped all but three charges against Roberts. At the hearing, a Sandy Springs detective testified the women signed contracts, had to pay for food, rent and gas, and were told they had to give all the money they earned to Roberts.
The 15-count indictment returned Friday after evidence was presented before the Grand Jury. According to the Fulton DA’s Office, a no bond warrant was issued Friday. His previous $33,000 bond set Thursday has been overruled.
The 6,800-square-foot house where the women were found is located in a gated community, and last sold for $1.2 million.
Roberts remains at the Fulton County jail. If convicted, Roberts could face up to 205 years in prison.
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