Bellevue Police rescue 15-year-old girl from Maple Valley sex trafficking suspect

Detectives arrested a man on sex trafficking charges at his Maple Valley home earlier this month, and rescued a 15-year-old victim who was allegedly being forced to have sex with his clients.

According to the Bellevue Police Department (BPD), on July 1, officers responded to a disturbance near the corner of NE 8th St. and 112th Ave. NE in Bellevue and rescued the 15-year-old girl. During the investigation, detectives learned she was staying with 42-year-old Tony Eldridge.

She told police that Eldridge was forcing her to have sex with his clients inside his home, which prosecutors have described as a ‘brothel’ in Maple Valley. Authorities say Eldridge is accused of sexually and physically abusing her and profiting from her commercial sex exploitation.

The victim told officers that Eldridge knew she was only 15-years-old. She was roped into sex work by a 28-year-old woman, who knew her mother. She also recounted multiple instances of times Eldridge allegedly physically and sexually abused her.

Three other victims were discovered.

On Aug. 3, BPD officers served a search warrant at Eldridge's home in the 22500 block of SE 218th St. After a three-hour standoff, he was arrested and booked into the King County Jail.

Prosecutors charged him with human trafficking, promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor, rape of a child and three counts of promoting prostitution. He is being held on a $500,000 bail.

Detectives have seized his car, which was allegedly used during the crimes. 

According to the BPD, detectives also discovered Eldridge is a registered sex offender in Multnomah County, Oregon. He was convicted of promoting prostitution in 2013. He is also a registered offender in King County, according to court documents. He appears to be a Level 1 offender since his name is not on any public databases.

Eldridge is scheduled for arraignment on Aug. 17.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

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