Australian Couple Accused Of Keeping and Branding Sex Slaves

A Brisbane couple found themselves in court on Friday after being arrested for their involvement in “sexual servitude and organized prostitution.” 

During raids at Queensland properties, evidence discovered by police supports that Matthew James Markcrow, 35, and his girlfriend Crystal Marie Sawyer, 23, were keeping sex slaves — some underage. 

According to the New York Post, “police allege the victims were drugged while subjected to controlled living, financial and work conditions.”

Photos posted to Markcrow’s social page shows some of the women tattooed, or in other words branded, with the phrase, “Property of Matt M.”

Markcrow faces ten charges, including conducting unlawful prostitution, making recordings in breach of privacy, and operating a business involving sexual servitude of a girl under 18.

The victims kept were allegedly between the ages of 17 to 24. 

Markcrow has been denied bail.

The girlfriend’s involvement is unclear as of now. 

But, “police observed other girls follow Sawyer’s leadership during the search…she demonstrated a degree of control over the other girls,” a police sergeant explained. 

Sawyer has been charged with conducting unlawful prostitution and contravening an order about electronic information.

However, since there is no substantial evidence of Sawyer’s involvement, she’s been released on bail.