Aaron Collins pleads not guilty to human trafficking

July 22, 2013 3:54 pm • By Hannah Johnson

 

BISMARCK, N.D. - A man accused of human trafficking entered a not guilty plea to the Class A felony charge Monday.

Aaron Collins waived his right to a preliminary hearing and proceeded to his arraignment before South Central District Judge Bruce Haskell.

Collins, 32, allegedly made contact with a woman he believed was trafficking her underage daughters for money, according to court documents.

He allegedly made an arrangement to pay $500 for an hour with the 15- and 17-year-old daughters, showed up at a public place to meet the mother on June 11 with the money and was arrested.

Collins, who is from Tioga, was charged, along with Bobby Allan Abplanalp, 29, of Dickinson. Their bond was set at $50,000.

With his not guilty plea, Collins’ case will go to trial. He could face up to 20 years in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender if convicted.

His attorney, Amanda Harris, was granted a presentence investigation report, which will look at Collins’ background and whether there were extenuating circumstances involving his arrest.