Khari Matthew “King Black” TroutmanA 31-year-old Atlanta man arrested here in January on sex trafficking charges pleaded not guilty Wednesday in federal court.
U.S. Magistrate Bill Carter set a May 7 trial date for Khari Matthew “King Black” Troutman. He will remain in custody awaiting trial.
Chattanooga police arrested Troutman on Jan. 19 after a Maryland woman called 911 from an Applebee’s restaurant bathroom on a borrowed cellphone.
The woman, whose name is not being used in accordance with Times Free Press policy regarding sex crime victims, told police that she had agreed to travel with Troutman and prostitute herself.
The woman said she traveled with Troutman, another man and another woman to Greensboro, N.C., where Troutman took over her backpage.com listings for escort services. The 21-year-old woman took clients at 15-, 30- and 60-minute appointments, charging $80, $100 and $180, respectively.