Two in Columbia netted in nationwide child sex trafficking bust

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A man out on bond for two separate crimes was one of two people in Columbia arrested in connection with a nationwide child sex trafficking bust.

Dubbed "Operation Cross Country VII", the bust snared 150 pimps and helped state and federal officials rescue at least 105 children that were involved in sex trafficking across 76 U.S. cities.

According to federal court documents, 21-year-old William Jerome Gibson and 20-year-old Andrea Bostic allegedly recruited and harbored a 16-year-old girl for the purposes of using her for prostitution.

In the affidavit, officials said they arrested Gibson at the Quality Inn on Two Notch Road after an undercover agent arranged a meeting with the 16-year-old girl.

Gibson attempted to flee the scene as officers arrived, but he eventually surrendered to agents.

Special agents also apprehended the 16-year-old girl, who said she was introduced to Gibson because she was told he could provide her with food, clothing, and a place to stay if she worked for him.

The girl told agents she had already been prostituting herself for two to three days and had at least one customer on July 27.

As for Bostic, the affidavit says she had been a prostitute herself for the past two or three years. Bostic told investigators Gibson brought the teen to her several weeks ago so Bostic could post personal ads for the girl on a website.

Gibson denied knowing anything about prostitution.

Gibson was out on bond for both a 2010 and 2011 case. The 2011 case is a murder charge that stems from an incident at the Colony Apartments.

Gibson and his then-20-year-old brother, Taddrick Derrell Gibson, surrendered to police in connection with the fatal shooting of Terrance McNair-Bailey. Taddrick Gibson is also charged with murder.

As for the 2010 case, Gibson was charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill for a planned shooting on Autumn Glen Road.

That's where Laura Hudson, executive director for the South Carolina Crime Victim's Council, says there's a break in the state system.

"Did he know there were other charges pending, which is supposed to be delivered to the court by law enforcement? Did law enforcement have access to all of that information?  We're looking at a system issue of information which should not be a challenge in an age where you have information on your thumb," said Hudson.

Gibson's initial bond was revoked. He served 8 months when this motion was filed for a new bond hearing. That motion includes his previous charges for the judge to see.  Hudson says in some cases it's still not enough for a judge.

"Some circuit court judges in our state, that even if you go out and commit another offense, they want you to be convicted of the second one before they'll revoke on the first one out of fear of saying you're innocent until proven guilty," said Hudson.

Copyright 2013 WIS. All rights reserved.