Description
Jimmie Gardner, a youth motivational speaker and brother-in-law of former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, has been arrested on human trafficking charges in Tampa.
According to authorities, the 57-year-old made contact with a 16-year-old girl around 1:43 a.m. Friday and invited her back to his room at the Renaissance Hotel at International Plaza.
Investigators say when she arrived, Gardner offered the girl money in exchange for sexual acts.
"The victim initially agreed but later told Gardner that she no longer wanted to engage, and he became angry," the Tampa Police Department wrote.
Gardner then reportedly told the girl she needed to leave the hotel room, which sparked a verbal argument. Police say that argument became physical when Garnder put his hands around the girl's neck, impeding her breathing.
When Gardner left the hotel room, the girl called 911.
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/crime/jimmie-gardner-stacey-abrams-brother-in-law-arrested-tampa/67-8bb536c8-0cf5-4cf6-bf63-bc5b564ba954
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