Man Convicted of Human Trafficking in Williamson County

Elaina Sauber, The Tennessean

A Williamson County jury convicted a man of human trafficking last week in what's believed to be the first trial of its kind in the county.

Eric Demarco Hamilton, 26, of Flint, Mich., was convicted on one count of trafficking for a commercial sex act, a Class B felony, and a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault, according to a press release from the Brentwood Police Department.

Assistant District Attorney Kelly Lawrence, of the 21st Judicial District, prosecuted the case.

Brentwood Police initially responded to a domestic assault call for service on April 10, 2016 at the Extended Stay America hotel on Church Street. That led to a investigation by Brentwood Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Hamilton was subsequently charged.

The victim was placed in the care of the nonprofit End Slavery Tennessee, which works with law enforcement to fight human trafficking.

Officials learned during the investigation that Hamilton had taken the victim from a hotel in North Little Rock, Ark. the morning of April 1, 2016.

The victim was transported around Arkansas, Texas and Florida before coming to Brentwood to perform sex acts under Hamilton's direction.

If you know someone who may be a human trafficking victim, call your local police or End Slavery Tennessee at 615-806-6899.

Reach Elaina Sauber at esauber@tennessean.com or 615-571-1172 and on Twitter @elainasauber.