Three From Pulaski County Facing Sex Trafficking Charges

Three Saint Robert residents are facing charges related to the sexual trafficking of a child in Pulaski County.

Authorities say detectives from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding an incident at the Osage Commons Apartments, situated in the 14100 block of State Highway Z, near the I-44 on/off-ramps.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered a 13-year-old girl who had been reported as a runaway inside one of the apartments. During the investigation, officials from the Missouri Children’s Division found illicit substances and sexually-related items in the girl’s purse.

Missouri Children’s Division took custody of the girl and transported her to their offices. Notably, the girl had a dollar sign tattooed on her left middle finger, a known branding symbol for human trafficking victims.

Detectives arrested 28-year-old Danika Gillen, who was present in the apartment with the girl. Gillen said that 49-year-old Ulysses “Twan” Tallie played a role in trafficking the girl.

19-year-old Emma Simpson was also arrested in the same apartment where the girl was found on the evening of October 18.

Tallie was apprehended on October 30 at a relative’s residence in Waynesville. Prosecutors filed charges against Gillen and Simpson for Second-Degree Sexual Trafficking of a Child, and against Tallie for Second-Degree Sexual Trafficking of a Child and First-Degree Statutory Rape. Additionally, Tallie faced charges for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in a separate case.

Gillen and Simpson were detained at the Pulaski County Jail on October 20th and are being held on $500,000 bonds. Preliminary hearings for both women were scheduled for November 13.

Tallie was booked into the Pulaski County Jail on October 30 and held on a $325,000 bond. He was arraigned yesterday (Wednesday). A counsel status hearing is scheduled for November 7, with a preliminary hearing set for November 27.