ST JAMES, Jamaica —A man who allegedly used social media to lure an 18-year-old girl into committing sexual acts for money will face trial on January 22 in the St James Circuit Court. The offences were allegedly committed in 2017 while he posed as a talent scout for models.

Keron Watson is charged with human trafficking and living on the earnings of prostitution.

Represented by attorney-at-law Donovan Collins, Watson appeared in the St James Circuit Court on Monday before presiding High Court Judge Bertram Morrison.

Initially represented by attorney-at-law Henry McCurdy, Watson pleaded guilty to the charges in 2017. He later changed his plea and the case was moved to the trial list.

The trial was scheduled to begin on Monday, but due to another ongoing trial, it was pushed back to January 22. Watson was remanded.

The prosecution’s case file revealed that in January 2017, Watson reportedly misled the complainant into believing he was a talent scout and invited her to his home under the guise of offering her a modelling opportunity. He then allegedly held her there against her will and forced her to perform various sexual acts with different men for a fee, which he kept for himself.

After the complainant was released, Watson reportedly threatened to blackmail her with videos of her performing various sexual acts. The incident was reported to the police, and he was arrested in April of that year, following a raid on his home.

Watson was also charged with illegal possession of ammunition after a 9mm cartridge was discovered during the same raid. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined J$30,000 or three months’ imprisonment by the St James Parish Court on May 15, 2019.