A Gum Branch man was arrested and charged with human trafficking this past Thursday.

According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Office detective, Chris Reed, the department  received a report of human trafficking, allegedly originating from a residence in Gum Branch.

Reed said after a month long investigation a search warrant was executed on Oct. 4, on the property of Randy Ray. His home is located at the 1400 block of Ray Road.

The warrant alleged Ray would enter into agreements with female inmates who were detained at the Liberty County Jail.

Ray allegedly bonded the women out under the pretext of having them work on his property. It is alleged however that he had the women perform sexual favors.

Ray has been charged with two counts of trafficking of persons for labor or sexual servitude and two counts of pandering by compulsion according to Reed.  

The investigation is ongoing.