EVERETT — An Oregon man has been booked into the Snohomish County Jail after allegedly trying to force a woman into prostitution to pay off her brother’s debt.
A Portland woman told police that the suspect, 37, threatened to kill her brother and her “entire house” if she refused, Edmonds police wrote in court papers.
Police believe the woman was driven across state lines last Friday.
She said the man began punching her in the ribs and smashing her head into a motel wall when she didn’t want to go out on the street, court papers said.
The woman said she had been a prostitute more than four years ago, but now has a good job. She also said she was the suspect’s former girlfriend.
She alleged that the Portland man threatened her with a knife on the drive to Snohomish County. She told police that the man is a gang member and she feared he has friends who would kill her if he was sent to jail and couldn’t follow through on his threats.
The suspect allegedly wouldn’t let her leave the motel room by herself and accompanied her when they went out.
The woman said she was able to get away from him at a Shoreline casino late Saturday afternoon.
An Edmonds officer took photos of bruises on the woman’s body.
The man was arrested for investigation of promoting prostitution, unlawful imprisonment and harassment.
Police seized $550 from his wallet.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
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