THOMASVILLE — A man charged recently with impersonating a law enforcement officer and released on bond is now charged with human trafficking involving an Albany teen.

In addition to trafficking person for labor or sexual servitude, Marsella Miles, 22, 511 W. Calhoun St., is charged with aggravated assault, sodomy and first-degree cruelty to children in a case involving a 17-year-old Albany male, who has been returned to his family in Albany.

The teen was walking along an Albany street several weeks ago when Miles offered him a ride, said Lt. Toby Knifer, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations commander.

“Activity at the residence involved sexual favors while Miles acted as as though he had some type of of authority over the minor,” Knifer said.

The minor was not a runaway. 

“His family members knew he was in Thomasville,” Knifer said.

Miles used his authority over the minor, along with a false law enforcement affiliation and as a father-type figure, as means to intimidate the victim for sexual favors, Knifer said.

Last Friday, Miles called 911 and reported the minor as a runaway from his home. Police responded and found the teen on a nearby street attempting to get back to Albany. He told officers he did not want to return to Miles’ residence, citing sexual abuse.

Knifer said Miles threatened to prosecute the victim’s family members if the teen did not consent to his sexual demands.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820