
Two South Carolina Women Plead Guilty to Federal Human Trafficking Conspiracy
Columbia, S.C. — In a disturbing case of human trafficking that spanned several states and exploited vulnerable minors, two South Carolina women, 24-year-old Monesha Tatayana Lapri Gary of Clinton and 30-year-old Rebecca Melanie Perry of Columbia, have pleaded guilty to human trafficking conspiracy in federal court. Their plea, accepted by United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon, underscores the harrowing details of a conspiracy that subjected multiple minors to exploitation in the commercial sex trade.
The Conspiracy Unveiled
According to evidence presented in court, from December 2022 through August 2023, Gary and Perry collaborated with co-defendants Antonio Marquis Nicholson and Terrell Counts to recruit and exploit at least three minor victims. Despite knowing the ages of these minors, the group used manipulation, intimidation, and coercion to control and profit from their victims.
Authorities revealed that Nicholson and Perry first encountered one minor victim, a runaway, at a hotel. They convinced her to participate in commercial sex work, bought her lingerie, and took photos to advertise her online. The group then transported her across state lines, arranged encounters with customers in hotels across the Columbia area and elsewhere, and collected the proceeds. Nicholson, identified as a ringleader, set prices, determined how much of the earnings the minors would receive, and managed the operation’s logistics.
Gary also played a pivotal role by posing as one of the minor victims in online communications with customers, transporting victims to different cities, collecting proceeds, and intervening during disputes with customers. Meanwhile, Perry assisted in similar capacities, further entrenching the minors in a web of exploitation.
Targeting Vulnerable Victims
Two additional minor victims were recruited near a high school, with the group exploiting them on days they were not in school. The conspiracy relied heavily on internet advertisements to attract customers, coordinating encounters and collecting payments through digital means. The minors were subjected to physical abuse, drug exposure, and constant surveillance, with members of the group carrying firearms to maintain control over their victims.
Legal Consequences
Both Gary and Perry now face severe penalties, including up to life in prison, fines of up to $250,000, mandatory lifetime supervision upon release, and mandatory registration as sex offenders. Additionally, as part of their plea agreements, they have agreed to pay restitution to their victims.
Judge Lydon will issue sentences after reviewing a detailed report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. Meanwhile, the cases against co-defendants Nicholson and Counts remain pending, with the indictment serving as an accusation until proven guilty.
Attorney General Alan Wilson’s Human Trafficking Task Force
In 2023, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division reported opening 357 cases that included nearly 500 potential victims, most of those minors being sex trafficked. SLED’s data also showed that human trafficking cases were opened in 40 counties, with only six not reporting any cases. The counties with the most cases in 2023 include Richland (43), Greenville (34), Horry and Aiken (24 each), Berkeley (23), Charleston, Spartanburg, and Lexington (21 each), Dorchester (18), and York (13).
The National Human Trafficking Hotline data showed that two counties tied for the most incidents reported to the hotline. Greenville and Horry ranked number one, Charleston County was second place followed by Richland and Spartanburg that tied for third. Aiken ranked fourth and Lexington and Orangeburg Counties tied for fifth place.
“Human trafficking continues to grow in South Carolina, just as it does around the country and the world. Last year, we saw an increase in the number of victims. That shows that we need to continue our work and do everything we can to raise awareness of this crime so the public can know what to look for and report what they see,” Attorney General Wilson said.

Broader Implications
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence while fostering trust and safety within communities. It also highlights the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and multiple sheriff’s and police departments across South Carolina and beyond. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office also contributed to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Ariyana N. Gore, who are prosecuting the case, emphasized the importance of addressing violent crime and exploitation through coordinated efforts and strategic enforcement priorities.
A Wake-Up Call for Action
The guilty pleas of Gary and Perry expose the chilling reality of human trafficking and underscore the need for continued vigilance in combating this heinous crime. The details of this case serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of runaway and at-risk youth, as well as the critical role of law enforcement and community organizations in protecting them.
While the justice system begins to hold the perpetrators accountable, the victims face the long road of recovery and healing. This case is a call to action for increased awareness, prevention, and support for victims of human trafficking, ensuring that such crimes are met with swift and decisive justice.
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