Child Trafficking Charges Could Land Falls Man 40 Years in Prison

A Menomonee Falls resident is accused of forcing a 17-year-old girl into prostitution, and allegedly pointing a gun and threatening her if she refused. 

Julian M. Woodruff, 20, of Oak Creek and Marcus M. Smith-Reaves, 19, of Menomonee Falls have been charged with child trafficking. They face a $100,000 fine and up to 40 years in prison.

Woodruff helped hold the girl at a Milwaukee home last month, according to court records, and, along with Smith-Reaves threatened her if she didn't go along with the prostitution. The trafficking began Feb. 17, when police say Smith-Reaves pointed a gun at the girl at a residence in the 3200 block of North 34th Street and said she had to start having sex for money—and turning what men gave her over to him. 

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If she didn't, the criminal complaint states, Smith-Reaves said he would kill her.

Woodruff helped Smith-Reaves harbor the girl at the home for the purpose of prostitution, police said.

Smith-Reaves and Woodruff both had sex with her, according to the criminal complaint, and in a Feb. 22 incident confronted her about calling police. They filled up a bathtub and held her under water for several seconds at a time, threatening to drown her. The girl told police she thought she was going to die, as the incident went on for several minutes.

Police are still investigating the case and are expected to bring more felony charges against Smith-Reaves and Woodruff.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 14.