UHP arrests man suspected of trafficking New England teen

HURRICANE, Utah —  Police arrested a man in Washington County on suspicion of human trafficking a child on Thursday. 

According to court documents, the Utah Highway Patrol pulled over Tevon Jarrell Cullors-Tillman after his car was spotted driving erratically.

 

The officer became suspicious of the relationship between 35-year-old Cullors-Tillman and the passenger after she gave a fake name and date of birth. Not long after, it was determined that the passenger was actually a missing endangered juvenile from Massachusetts. 

Court documents highlighted that the two had been talking online and Cullors-Tillman bought her a bus ticket to Denver. Investigators believe they were on their way to California.

“She came to Denver, CO on a bus, sounds like she had met him on some kind of social media app,” said Utah’s Department of Public Safety Captain, Steve Salas.

According to police, the victim feared Cullors-Tillman. She told police that she had been subjected to prostitution.

Per the officer’s statement, there was clear and convincing evidence that there was a substantial danger to the victim and, possibly, to further victims in the community.

“There is a lot of value and pride that comes from a stop like that, just because you know that she is in a dangerous situation,” Capt. Salas told KSL TV. 

Cullors-Tillman faces a number of charges including human trafficking for labor.

Troopers said the teen victim is being detained in Washington County until family members are able to make arrangements to pick her up.

Related reading:

• Over 20 arrested in Utah County human trafficking sting, 3 victims rescued
• UTA to train all staff on how to recognize human trafficking
• Utah State University program researches human trafficking in Utah