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Warrants reveal new details in Gastonia sex trafficking case

Detectives said the three suspects had sex with a 14-year-old girl for a lengthy period of time. They were arrested after a 7-month investigation.

GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia Police and court documents revealed new details in a seven-month human trafficking case that led to the arrests of three men.

Robert Derr, Rhodri Ross, and Jack Phillips appeared in court Tuesday afternoon where a judge ordered Derr's bond to remain at $1 million and Ross and Phillips' bonds to remain at $500,000.

Investigators said the three men had sex with a 14-year-old girl for a lengthy time period. Arrest warrants identified Derr as the one who trafficked the teen girl.

Captain Trent Conard said Derr took the girl to several places in the county against her will to have sex -- including at a north Belmont business.

Warrants list Jack Phillips' address as the same location as an auto detail business right across the street from North Belmont Elementary School

"Unfortunately it was a teenage victim that was taken advantage of," Capt. Conard said. "It's unimaginable."

RELATED: 3 arrested for human trafficking in Gaston County

He said the victim met Derr after running away from home, but she later returned to her family and told them what happened, who immediately called investigators.

Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Hamlin hinted in court that detectives had strong evidence against the three people, including Phillips, the north Belmont businessman

"[Phillips] did speak to police and made admissions of what he had done," Hamlin said. "The girl was under the age of 15."

Captain Conard said this case is a reminder for all parents of the potential dangers out there for their children.

"I urge parents to be involved in their children's lives," Captain Conard said. "If they noticed anything different about their children to take note of that and have daily communication with them."

The three cases are expected to go before a grand jury in the coming weeks.

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