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Williamsburg man wanted in sex trafficking case arrested after tactical situation

Posted at 4:31 PM, Jul 11, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-12 07:15:46-04

YORK Co., Va. - Deputies with the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office arrested a man wanted for sex trafficking after a tactical situation in the 100 block of Bypass Road in the Williamsburg area of York County Thursday afternoon.

Authorities took 29-year-old Evan Anthony Cole of Williamsburg into custody around 5 p.m.

Officials say earlier Thursday, maintenance workers heard noises coming from a room they believed to be vacant at the Travel Lodge in the area. When authorities entered the room, Cole pointed a handgun at them and ordered them to the ground.

Cole then exited the room and barricaded himself inside another room. The area was then cordoned off.

Members with the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office Crisis Negotiation Team began communicating with Cole, and a short time later, Cole surrendered to deputies without incident.

Cole has multiple charges pending in the City of Williamsburg. In York County, charges are being sought for two counts of Abduction, two counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm.

Around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 5, officers responded to the 300 block of York Street in reference to a suspicious incident call. They arrived on scene to find two victims whom Cole allegedly abducted and forced into prostitution.

An investigation determined that Cole also strangled, assaulted and robbed the two victims of their personal items. The victims were treated on scene for non-life-threatening injuries.

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