Indiana Man Facing 12 Felony Charges in Kentucky

He has pled not guilty to the human-trafficking charges.

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(Bowling Green, Ky.) - An Indiana man is facing 12 felony charges of human trafficking and is being fined $45,000 from the state of Kentucky after being accused of using children to sell candy in Bowling Green.

According to the state attorney general’s office, Shawn Floyd, 55, of Indianapolis brought 12 children to Kentucky with him in July 2019 to sell candy by knocking on doors.

Investigators said Floyd made the juveniles share a motel room with three adults and pay for their own meals and water. Floyd was initially charged with misdemeanor counts of endangering minors in the summer of 2019, but a grand jury returned more serious charges.

He has pled not guilty to the human-trafficking charges.

Last week, the Kentucky Labor Cabinet filed a lawsuit against him alleging he has not paid $45,000 in fines which were levied against him in August for alleged labor violations involving the children. The allegations said Floyd worked people under the age of 14.

Kentucky’s lawsuit alleged that Floyd paid one of the 13-year-old’s only $2.08 an hour.