An Australian couple allegedly kept several young women between the ages of 17 and 24 as sex slaves – some of whom were branded “male” property, according to a report.
Matthew James Markcrow, 35, and his girlfriend Crystal Marie Sawyer, 23, appeared in court in Brisbane on Friday after police found evidence to support “sexual servitude and organized prostitution.” during raids in Queensland this week, news.com.au reported.
Police say the victims were drugged while subjected to controlled living, financial and working conditions.
Photos posted on social media by Markcrow also show that the tattoos label some of the women as “Matt M’s property,” the press said.
Markcrow was charged with illegal prostitution, breach of privacy, breach of an electronic information order, and conducting a business involving the sexual servitude of a girl under the age of 18.
Sawyer has been charged with illegal prostitution and violating an electronic information order, news.com.au reported.
Markcrow was held in custody while his girlfriend was given bail – despite allegations that she exercised control over women and worries that she could run the business in the absence of her boyfriend.
“Police noticed that other girls were following Sawyer’s driving during the search … she showed a degree of control over the other girls,” the police sergeant said. Mark Hughes.
Defense attorney Lily Berkeley said there was no firm evidence that Sawyer was involved in the affair and said the allegations were “somewhat premature.”
The judge gave Sawyer bail, provided he did not contact witnesses and had to report to police twice a week.