BALTIMORE, MD – Kenika Danielle Leach, 33, of Baltimore, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after operating a sex trafficking ring that exploited vulnerable women across Maryland. Leach was convicted of multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, distribution of cocaine, and receiving the earnings of a prostitute. Her conviction came after a two-year investigation led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit, in collaboration with local and federal agencies.
Leach’s trafficking operation began in December 2021, when a woman was hospitalized and reported to authorities that Leach had trafficked her from Hagerstown to Baltimore. This led to an extensive investigation, uncovering that Leach had trafficked at least 10 other women, forcing them into commercial sex acts by exploiting their drug addictions. Leach provided the women with drugs and coerced them into paying off “drug debts” by performing sex acts, using physical violence to maintain control.
During the investigation, authorities reviewed extensive cell phone, social media, and financial records, uncovering Leach’s abuse across multiple counties, including Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and Hagerstown. The case was further supported by Homeland Security Investigations, Maryland State Police, and local law enforcement, underscoring the widespread effort to dismantle Leach’s trafficking operation.
On February 26, 2025, Judge Brett R. Wilson sentenced Leach to 40 years in prison, suspending all but 15 years, with an additional five years of supervised probation. Judge Wilson also ordered that Leach have no contact with her victims.
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown praised the sentencing as a critical step toward justice for the survivors, though acknowledging that their healing process is far from over. “These survivors will carry the trauma for the rest of their lives, but today’s sentence brings some closure,” said Brown. “Our office is committed to holding traffickers accountable for the damage they inflict on our communities.”
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley highlighted the importance of the investigation, noting that the case sends a strong message that human trafficking will not be tolerated in the city. “We are committed to ensuring safety and accountability in our neighborhoods,” he stated.
Michael McCarthy, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore, also commended the efforts of the law enforcement team, saying Leach had “earned every single day” of her prison sentence. He emphasized the agency’s continued commitment to fighting human trafficking.
Thomas Stack, Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault Response Team Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, underscored the success of the Blue Dot program, a collaboration between hospitals, law enforcement, and local government aimed at identifying and supporting victims of trafficking.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and bring justice to victims, with law enforcement partners across Maryland uniting to dismantle Leach’s operation.
