Missoula Man and Minnesota Woman face Trafficking Charges

Appearing in a federal court in Billings on Thursday, a Minnesota woman denied any involvement in the sex trafficking case of a Missoula man accused of forcing women and minor girls into unwanted sexual activity.  31-year-old Francine Granados of Moorhead, Minn., pleaded not guilty to tampering with a witness, victim or informant during an arraignment before a U.S. Magistrate.

The indictment alleges that Granados attempted to intimidate or threaten an unidentified person, referred to in proceedings as Jane Doe 1, with the intent to prevent her testimony related to sex trafficking. The alleged tampering is reported to have happened between Sept. 23 and 28 in Montana and North Dakota as well as other unspecified locations.  34-year-old Terrance Tyrell Edwards of Missoula is Granados’ co-defendant
Edwards is charged with six counts including sex trafficking by force, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in prostitution and obstruction of justice.