Human Trafficking Suspect Remains At Large In Marietta

MARIETTA, GA — Police say they are still searching for a man in connection with a squatters call that led to the discovery of a human trafficking in Marietta.

Suspect Jadon Mitchell, 18, remains at large after police opened an investigation into human trafficking following a May 27 squatters call, Marietta Police said Thursday.

Officers responded around 9:30 a.m. to an apartment complex in the 700 block of Franklin Gateway after maintenance workers reported squatters inside a vacant apartment, police said.

After arriving, police said officers found three males and two girls sleeping inside the apartment.

During questioning, police said they discovered an outstanding aggravated assault warrant against 17-year-old Marietta resident Keatron Jones.

Furthermore, one of the males was a juvenile whose family had reported him missing, police said. He was reunited with his family at police headquarters.

The two girls were listed as missing runaways, police said. They appeared to be under the influence and required medical attention, leading to them both being taken to a local pediatric hospital, police said.

Police identified Mitchell as the third male who was not the subject of warrants at the time. Police said they released him at the scene.

However, police said their investigation into the case later turned into a human trafficking probe following the gathering of evidence and information at the scene.

The following people are facing charges, per police:

• Damian Downing was charged on June 18, faces charges of removal of monitoring device, obstruction, trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, crossing guard lines – marijuana and VGCSA possession.

• Keatron Jones was charged on June 30, faces charges of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude and first-degree burglary.

• The juvenile male has been charged on a juvenile complaint form.

Cobb County Jail records on Friday showed Downing and Jones remained in police custody.

Mitchell, who on June 29 was charged with trafficking of persons for sexual servitude and first-degree burglary, is not currently in custody, police said.

Police asked anyone with information about his whereabouts to call authorities or anonymously submit a tip to Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta, (404) 577-8477.