Federal Way man, 19, arrested for kidnapping and promoting prostitution

Seattle vice detectives arrested a 19-year-old Federal Way man suspected of luring a woman into prostitution, kidnapping her at gunpoint after she escaped and forcing her back onto the streets.

The man was booked into King County Jail early Friday under investigation of kidnapping, robbery and promoting prostitution. He is being held without bail.

Police began investigating the man after receiving a call Oct. 8 from a young woman claiming the man had lured her into prostitution after she recently moved from California to Washington to live with her father, police said.

The woman said she became scared after she saw the man physically abusing another prostitute who lived with him in a Federal Way apartment, police said. After working for the man for a week, the woman fled and returned to her father's home, she told police.

Soon after, the man tracked her down at her father's home, kidnapped her at gunpoint and told her to go back to the street to "work," police said. The woman called 911 when she was able.

The man was arrested without incident, police said.

Noelene Clark: 206-464-2321 or nclark@seattletimes.com