BALTIMORE, MD – November 22, 2024 — Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that Kenika Danielle Leach, 33, of Baltimore, has pleaded guilty to charges related to running a sex trafficking ring across Maryland. Leach appeared in the Circuit Court for Washington County before Judge Brett R. Wilson, where she admitted to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, distribution of cocaine, and receiving earnings from prostitution.
The charges stem from a two-year, multi-agency investigation led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit, which identified at least 11 women from Hagerstown, Maryland, who were trafficked by Leach and her co-conspirators. The victims were transported to hotels and motels throughout Maryland, where they were forced to engage in commercial sex acts.
The investigation began in December 2021 when local hospital staff alerted the Baltimore Police Department after a victim revealed she had been trafficked by Leach. The victim reported that Leach had transported her from Hagerstown to Baltimore, where she was coerced into performing sex acts for which Leach received money and drugs. The case was then taken up by the Organized Crime Unit.
“This case highlights the devastating impact of sex trafficking, particularly how traffickers exploit individuals struggling with addiction. My office is committed to bringing justice for these victims, helping them escape this vicious cycle of abuse, and offering them a chance to rebuild their lives,” said Attorney General Brown.
Through extensive cooperation with agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations and the Maryland State Police, as well as the analysis of cell phone, social media, and financial records, investigators identified 10 additional women who were trafficked by Leach. These women were also controlled through their drug addictions, with Leach allegedly providing drugs in exchange for their participation in commercial sex acts, which were paid for through peer-to-peer payment apps.
Leach’s control over the women extended beyond addiction; the indictment also claims that she used physical violence to maintain dominance. Victims reported that when they disobeyed Leach’s orders, she would force them to “get on the wall” and cover their faces, allowing her to physically assault them without damaging their facial features. Leach also used threats and psychological manipulation to keep the women obedient and dependent on her.
Leach is scheduled for sentencing on February 18, 2025, and remains in custody without bond. She faces a maximum of 40 years in prison for her role in the trafficking ring.
