GILES COUNTY, Va. – A Giles County man was arrested and jailed for alleged human trafficking.
Gary Karl Gusler, 54, of Newport, was arrested by the Giles County Sheriff's Office and charged with two felony counts of human trafficking and one misdemeanor count of abduction.
Evidentiary facts released during a bond hearing show that police are investigating numerous women who were allegedly victimized by Gusler, according to Commonwealth Attorney Bobby Lilly.
The Sheriff's Office began an investigation on January 17 into the larceny and forgery of checks taken from Gusler. While conducting that investigation, investigators say they were made aware of allegations that Gusler had a history of bonding females out of jail in exchange for sex and a history of soliciting prostitution.
Gusler is accused of bonding women out of the New River Valley Regional Jail in Pulaski and holding them in his Giles County home against their will. He allegedly threatened the women, telling them that leaving him would revoke their bond and send them back to jail.
"Based on the facts of this case, there are a significant number of cases that demonstrate a pattern of this behavior," Lilly said.
After about three months of investigation into Gusler’s activities investigators consulted with the Giles County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office about the case.
Multiple victims have made statements about being held against their will by Gusler to deputies investigating the case.
A decision was reached to present the case to a grand jury on April 11, 2017 on single charges of abduction with intent to defile, human trafficking, and residing in a bawdy place.
Multiple other cases and statements by victims are still under investigation. The regional jail serves four jurisdictions. The charges brought forth by Giles County only represent victims from Giles County.
No other counties have come forward with charges to date.
Gusler is being held in the New River Valley Regional Jail without bond.
A hearing date has been set for June 26.