Five individuals, including an Indian American couple, have been charged in connection with an alleged sex trafficking and drug operation at a Dumfries motel following a federal investigation.
Five people are facing federal charges after authorities uncovered an alleged sex trafficking and drug distribution network operating out of a Dumfries motel. The defendants were formally charged this week in federal court.
The defendants, including Kosha Sharma, 52, and Tarun Sharma, 55, a married couple who leased and managed the Red-Carpet Inn, appeared in Prince William County Circuit Court, Virginia, on Friday. Their appearance followed a coordinated early-morning law enforcement raid on January 15, which involved local police and FBI agents entering the motel with guns drawn shortly before 6 a.m. This operation culminated a multi-year investigation into illegal activities at the site, according to authorities.
Prosecutors allege that the criminal operation was centered on the third floor of the motel, where occupants were engaged in drug sales and prostitution. Court documents indicate that undercover officers conducted a series of controlled purchases and prostitution encounters at the motel between May and December 2025.
Of the 15 controlled narcotics purchases made during this period, 11 involved fentanyl, while the remaining four involved cocaine, officials reported.
In addition to the Sharmas, the other defendants include Margo Waldon Pierce, Joshua Roderick, and Rashard Perrish Smith. All five individuals face federal charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, a crime that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, stated that the alleged crimes “devastate communities by exploiting vulnerable individuals and fueling violence and addiction.” She emphasized her office’s commitment to dismantling such criminal enterprises.
While officials did not provide specific details regarding whether the alleged prostitution activities involved coercion, the combination of drug distribution and the operation of a prostitution ring has drawn significant scrutiny from both local and federal authorities. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Prince William County Police Department, in collaboration with the Virginia State Police.
Surveillance footage obtained by local news outlets showed agents staging the early-morning raid, surrounding the motel, and taking multiple individuals into custody without incident.
Federal prosecutors assert that these arrests send a clear message about law enforcement’s focus on combating violent and organized crime in Northern Virginia. Defense attorneys for the accused have not yet responded to requests for comment, and it remains unclear whether any of the defendants have entered pleas.
A federal judge will oversee the pretrial proceedings, and prosecutors are expected to present further evidence and testimony at upcoming hearings. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information about related criminal activity to contact the FBI or Prince William County authorities as the investigation continues.
According to The American Bazaar, the case highlights ongoing concerns about drug-related violence and exploitation in the region.