A Texas woman was arrested amid accusations that she attempted to traffic her underage relative online to men in Morocco.
Amber Michelle Parker, 37, was arrested after a multi-agency human trafficking investigation in central Texas. Parker was accused of conspiring to traffic a young girl online to "multiple male subjects" in Morocco, the Freestone County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) said in a statement.
"She was online talking to multiple guys in Morocco trying to get it setup where she could take her with her over there to them," Freestone County Sheriff J. Shipley said, according to KWTX.
A joint effort by FCSO investigator Sgt. Preston Cordova and McClennan County Sheriff's Office detective Joseph Scaramucci led to Parker's arrest. Authorities said they had been watching Parker for months, KCEN-TV reported.
The eighth-grade teacher at Mexia Independent School District was booked into the Freestone County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.
McClennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said Parker planned to take the unidentified victim to Morocco for prostitution. Parker allegedly posted photos of the girl in lingerie online and promoted her as a virgin.
"It's a very low-down thing, it's the worst of the worst when you prostitute your own relative, that's as low as you get," McNamara said. "It's sickening to think a woman would stoop that low."
Parker reportedly traveled alone to Morocco in an attempt to broker a deal. McNamara said the girl's father picked her up while Parker was away and was now safe, McNamara said. Parker returned from Morocco on January 1.
"We appreciate Sheriff Parnell McNamara and McLennan County Sheriff's Office providing assistance to combat human trafficking in our area," Shipley said. "Also, good work to FCSO Sgt. Martin and Deputies Gasaway, Graham, and Walker who were also instrumental in this investigation."
Parker was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday by Mexia ISD. "Student safety is Mexia ISD's No. 1 priority," the statement said. "We take these allegations seriously and we will be working closely with our partners in law enforcement. The district continues to monitor the situation and feels no students at Mexia Junior High were ever at risk.
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