(Jamaica Gleaner) Former Nightclub operator Hermalinda Parker was today granted bail in the sum of J$3 million with sureties on human trafficking charges.
Human trafficking is the movement of people through the use of force or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or labour.
Parker operated the Latin Movement Nightclub on Dunrobin Plaza in St Andrew.
In granting bail, Supreme Court Judge Donald McIntosh ordered Parker to report to the Constant Spring police station every other day.
She is charged jointly with her husband, Anthony Parker, and her daughter, Lynn Scantlebury.
Parker and Scantlebury are on bail and are to return to the Home Circuit Court on November 12 for the start of their trial.
Hermalinda Parker was held on September 1 last year shortly after she returned to Jamaica from The Bahamas.
The Crown is alleging that young girls were recruited from abroad and forced to work at her nightclub.
It is further alleged that in one case a 16-year-old minor was recruited from Guyana under the guise that she was spending the summer vacation in Jamaica.
She was forced to work at the club doing dancing and sexual acts after Parker allegedly told her that she had to work to pay for her living expenses and plane ticket.
Two women saw the girl looking very distraught and took her to a police station where a report was made.
The report resulted in a sting operation being set up at the club where a number of people were arrested.
