Crime & Safety
Couple Pleads Not Guilty to Kidnapping, Trafficking
Mahender and Helen Singh forced underage girls into prostitution, prosecutors say.
Mahender Singh, 40, and Helen Singh, 22, pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, pimping and pandering in Redwood City Felony Court on Wednesday.
The Singhs, who are married, were arrested on Aug. 20 at the Travelodge at 326 S. Airport Boulevard.
Police according to South San Francisco police, and found the Singhs with a 19-year-old woman and two 16-year-old girls.
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Mahender Singh said the girls were his stepdaughters, but officers found condoms, lingerie and counterfeit bills in the rooms they were occupying, according to District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe.
The girls said Mahender and Helen Singh had forced them into prostitution, police said. Officers found ads for the victims on hookup website myredbook.com and found deposit slips and a pay-owe sheet in Helen Singh's car, Wagstaffe said.
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The Singhs remain in San Mateo County Jail without bail. They face a potential life sentence.
They will return to court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 5.
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