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Who are the Port Authority kidnappers? A closer look – Metro US

Who are the Port Authority kidnappers? A closer look

port authority mug shots Tara Pinnock and Jean Joseph were arrested for kidnapping a woman near Port Authority.
Credit: Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Tara Pinnock and Jean Joseph were arrested for kidnapping a woman near Port Authority.
Credit: Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office

One young woman had a nightmare road trip across the country when she was allegedly kidnapped near Port Authority and forced into prostitution across the country. Salt Lake City police officers found the 23-year-old woman in a parking lot on Monday after she dialed 911, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Officers arrested Jean Joseph, 26, and Tara Pinnock, 24. The victim alleged that Joseph beat her repeatedly and he and Pinnock arranged meetings for her to have sex with customers. According to the arrest fact sheets, the victim had a very large distended swollen eye and “a half-inch scar.”

Joseph allegedly sexually assaulted her twice in the Chicago area and he and Pinnock took her from Chicago to Grand Junction, Colo., Denver, Colo. and finally Salt Lake City. The victim told police she was forced to work as a prostitute in these areas.

She also alleged that Pinnock acted as a guard, and the victim had to ask Pinnock for permission in order to use certain items. Additionally, Pinnock was allegedly the person who placed advertisements, took phone calls and arranged meetings that resulted in prostitution for the victim.

But who are these alleged kidnappers?

Pinnock has a known criminal history. The young woman hails from Albany, N.Y. and was arrested and charged with one count of prostitution on Jan. 31. This was during Super Bowl weekend and she was arrested as part of a prostitution sting that included minors, according to the Stamford Daily Voice. Connecticut public records show she has a court date of April 15 in Stamford.

It is not clear if Joseph has a criminal record.

Joseph is being held in Salt Lake County Jail with a bond of $1 million. He is being charged with human trafficking, kidnapping, aggravated assault and rape. Pinnock is being held with a bond of $250,000 under a charge of human trafficking.

Follow Andrea Park on Twitter: @andreapark