Authorities arrest fifth suspect in Indianapolis sex trafficking operation

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A fifth suspect has been identified in connection with a sex-trafficking ring that resulted in two young women being rescued by Indianapolis authorities.

Gurpreet Singh, 35, was taken into custody in Carmel Wednesday. He faces a preliminary charge of promotion of human sex trafficking.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced his arrest Wednesday, almost a week after announcing another arrest in the case.

The investigation started after officers with the Northwest District of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department conducted a welfare check on a teenager at an Indianapolis hotel in August. While speaking with the victim, officers recognized signs of potential sex trafficking. The victim then led officers to two other hotel rooms, where they located a suspect and another possible victim.

Two suspects, Lovie Grace, 31, and Tamya McKinney, 18, were taken into custody at the hotel.

Detectives served search warrants and found Grace in possession of a large amount of cash and keys to both rooms. The following day, a second victim contacted investigators to provide more information. McKinney was then arrested three days later on a warrant.

As the investigation continued, detectives identified two others involved in the ring: Kayla Willoughby, 29, and Tyree White, 31.

All five suspects have since been arrested and face various trafficking-related charges.

• Lovie Grace: Rape, promoting sex trafficking, criminal confinement, human trafficking, battery with injury, and cocaine possession.
• Kayla Willoughby: Promoting sex trafficking, prostitution, human trafficking, and promoting prostitution.
• Tyree White: Rape, human trafficking, and making an unlawful proposition.
• Tamya McKinney: Promoting prostitution.
• Gurpreet Singh: Promoting prostitution.

Details of Singh’s involvement with the ring weren’t clear as of Wednesday morning.

Grace, McKinney, and Willoughby are due in court for jury trials on March 2. White will appear for his jury trial in April.

Help is available for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Below is a list of suggested resources, both national and local:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• National Domestic Violence Hotline en español: 800-799-7233 o texto “START” al 88788
• Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24-hour hotline available at 800-332-7385
• Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• La Plaza Indy
• The Julian Center
• Indiana Child Abuse Hotline: 800-800-5556
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673

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