Salem Woman Believed Victim of Sex Trafficking in Bend

In the early hours of Thursday, March 21, Bend Police responded to a call indicating a potential sex crime and human trafficking situation at the Red Lion Inn & Suites in Bend. According to Deschutes County 911 Dispatch, a 31-year-old Salem woman bravely reached out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, disclosing that she was being coerced into commercial sex acts and unlawfully detained within a room at the aforementioned location.

Despite several attempts to establish contact with the victim, officers were met with silence. Subsequently, they knocked and announced their presence, compelling those inside to open the door. Upon compliance, officers evacuated the victim from harm’s way and took into custody the alleged perpetrator, identified as 33-year-old Vancouver, Wash., resident Orlando S. Smith.

During an interview, the victim recounted a harrowing ordeal, detailing instances of physical assault and forced engagement in sexual activities with multiple individuals over a span of two days, allegedly at the hands of Smith. Further investigation revealed an online advertisement featuring the victim, alongside the seizure of over $1,000 in Smith’s possession.

Smith now faces charges of fourth-degree assault and promoting prostitution, in addition to being cited for an outstanding warrant related to a traffic offense in Salem. He has been remanded to the Deschutes County Jail pending further legal proceedings.

This distressing incident underscores the prevalence and gravity of human trafficking, prompting authorities to urge prompt reporting. If you or someone you know is in a trafficking situation, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text 233733. Advocates stand ready 24/7 to receive and address reports of suspected human trafficking.