Two Picayune men were arrested on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in promoting the prostitution of a 16-year-old female.
According to reports filed with the Picayune Police Department, 23-year-old Quayshun Turner of 422 Fannie Avenue, and 20-year-old Cortell Randolph of 520 Sovall Ave., were arrested that evening as the result of an investigation into the discovery of an online ad discovered by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said that department alerted his detectives about the find. The report states that the ad said the female was available to work in the area of Picayune, Hattiesburg and Biloxi.
The reports state that once the police department received the tip, Picayune Police Detectives arranged a meeting with the female juvenile at a local motel.
Detectives arrived at about 6 p.m. that day, and then saw two suspect vehicles arrive, the report states. Officers moved in to secure the vehicles and the occupants, identified as Turner and Randolph, along with the female juvenile.
Through the investigation it was determined the two men were working together to promote the illegal activity of prostitution, Magri said.
Both suspects were subsequently charged with promoting prostitution and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, while the 16-year-old female was charged as a minor for prostitution and taken to the Forrest County Detention Center, the report states.