Baltimore Woman Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Kenika Danielle Leach, 33, of Baltimore, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, distribution of cocaine, and receiving earnings from prostitution, following a two-year investigation by the Maryland Attorney General's Organized Crime Unit. This investigation uncovered that she trafficked at least 11 women from Hagerstown to hotels across Maryland, exploiting their drug addictions and coercing them into prostitution to repay 'drug debts.' The investigation was initiated in December 2021 after hospital personnel reported a patient who disclosed being trafficked by Leach. Attorney General Anthony Brown emphasized the cycle of exploitation and abuse faced by victims in such trafficking operations. Leach faces up to 40 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 18, 2025. The case highlights the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies in addressing organized crime and supporting victims.