SEX TRAFFICKING IN MOTEL 6

Sex trafficking lawsuits allege Motel 6 locations enabled sex trafficking on their properties.

Sex trafficking is a heinous crime perpetrated against some of society’s most vulnerable populations. Traffickers exploit and abuse victims by forcing them to engage in commercial sexual activity.  Hotels and motels across the country have become some of the most common places of abuse for survivors of human trafficking and sex trafficking, according to Homeland Security Investigations. The Polaris Project, a nonprofit fighting sex trafficking, reported that nearly 9,000 victims of sex trafficking identified hotels as the places where the trafficking and abuse occurred. Hotels and motels have a responsibility to identify and act upon red flags for sexual abuse and trafficking occurring in their rooms and on their property.

Motel 6 is a national motel brand with thousands of locations across the United States, operating as a low-cost lodging chain serving travelers, families, and long-term guests. Hotels and motels are widely recognized as environments where sex trafficking frequently occurs, due in part to the transient nature of guests, limited identity verification, and minimal monitoring of room activity. Traffickers exploit hotel property by renting rooms specifically to facilitate illegal activities, often with the knowledge or negligence of hotel staff. These locations are frequented by sex buyers, whose demand fuels trafficking. Some hotels have been accused of harboring traffickers by providing a venue for their operations.

At Levy Konigsberg, we are fighting for survivors of sex trafficking, including sex trafficking within residential treatment centers and within hotels and motels, including cases involving Motel 6 properties.

If you or a loved one was harmed at a Motel 6, contact us today.

History of Sex Trafficking in Hotels and Motels

• In November 2025, a survivor of sex trafficking brought suit against a Motel 6 in Raleigh, North Carolina, alleging its staff knowingly allowed her to be repeatedly victimized there when she was 16, at times acting as a lookout for police.  The lawsuit alleges that between 2017 and 2018, the Plaintiff was forced into engaging in multiple sexual acts per day.  The lawsuit alleges that victims, including the Plaintiff, walked around the motel grounds at 2641 Appliance Court while impaired by drugs and alcohol, and were sleep deprived, hygiene impaired, behavior impaired, with visible bruising, malnourished, and in sexually explicit clothing. Motel staff allegedly witnessed physical and verbal abuse, saw heavy foot traffic coming and going, knew about suspicious cash, drugs, condoms and lubricants in the rooms and would sometimes keep watch or act as informants.  Other North Carolina hotels have similarly faced such allegations.  In June 2025, a woman identified only as D.H. sued those operating a Super 8 on Texland Boulevard in Charlotte, alleging she was raped there 10 to 20 times a day while a minor in 2014.

• In March 2025, it was reported that Motel 6, Days Inn, and North American Motor Inn in Philadelphia agreed to settle for $17.5 million with three women who said they were trafficked as minors.  The women were allegedly trafficked at those hotels between May 2015 and January 2017. The hotels allegedly failed to provide sufficient security, even though there was ongoing criminal activity and regular visits from the police. They reportedly allowed non-guests to come and go without question and didn’t train staff to recognize signs of sex trafficking.

• In February 2025, a woman filed a lawsuit against hotels and motels in Los Angeles and Texas, claiming that they allowed her to be sex trafficked and raped nearly 1000 times as a minor.  The victim alleged she was forced into sex trafficking at eight hotels run by three chains across Los Angeles and Texas. The hotels named in the lawsuit include Motel 6 locations in Westlake and Gardena, a Studio 6 in Dallas, a Red Roof Inn in Houston, a Days Inn by Wyndham, and a Super 8 by Wyndham. The lawsuit alleges that Motel 6 franchisor G6 Hospitality LLC, Wyndham Hotel Group, and Red Roof Inn were responsible because staff allegedly knew of the abuse and the policies of the hotels allowed the abuse to occur there.  Staff allegedly ignored obvious signs of abuse like visible bruising, malnourishment, her drugged state, and her inappropriate clothing. Staff also allegedly witnessed the victim being trafficked, helped her trafficker commit the crime, and in some instances, watched her as she was allegedly being raped or participated in the rape themselves.

• In November 2024, two lawsuits were filed on behalf of survivors of sex trafficking that occurred at the Baymont by Wyndham and a Motel 6, both in Hinesville, Georgia. According to the lawsuit, in 2020, an 18 to 19-year old girl was brought to the Motel 6 by a man who beat and raped the teenager while selling her as a sex salve where she was sexually assaulted hundreds of times.  Attorneys said the man would use the motel’s Wi-Fi to post advertisements that the teenager was there and would use money from the sex acts to purchase stays at the motel.  The lawsuit alleges that the motel’s owner should have known the teenager was being trafficked for sex at the motel.

Support for Trafficking Victims

Survivors of sex trafficking often emerge from their experiences having suffered unimaginable trauma, including severe physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and financial exploitation. The journey to recovery is complex and requires a network of support services tailored to address the unique needs of trafficking victims. Access to counseling, medical care, and financial assistance is essential for helping survivors heal from the severe harm inflicted upon them and to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

The hospitality industry, including major hotel chains like Motel 6, has a critical responsibility to prevent trafficking on their premises. Lawsuits filed against these businesses allege that they have turned a blind eye to commercial sex acts and failed to implement industry standards designed to protect vulnerable individuals. Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), a federal lawsuit can hold hotels and their parent companies accountable when a complaint alleges that they ignored or failed to report suspicious activity, resulting in severe abuse and exploitation of trafficking victims.

When a lawsuit claims that a hotel’s negligence enabled traffickers to operate under false pretenses, the court may consider whether the hotel staff were aware of the abuse, whether adequate training was provided, and whether the business took reasonable steps to prevent trafficking. Plaintiffs, often identified as Jane Doe to protect their privacy, seek damages and restitution for the physical, emotional, and financial harm they have endured. These legal actions not only seek compensation for survivors but also drive systemic change within the hotel industry, encouraging businesses to adopt stronger safeguards and reporting protocols.

Ultimately, combating sex trafficking requires a comprehensive approach—one that combines legal accountability, survivor-centered support, and proactive prevention measures within the hospitality industry. By holding hotel chains and individuals involved accountable, and by providing robust support to trafficking survivors, we can move closer to a future where no one suffers the horrors of commercial sex trafficking in hotels and motels.

Do I Have a Case?

You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if you were a victim of sex trafficking.

As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.

Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims

In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Past medical and mental health expenses
• Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and psychological harm
• Lost income
• Other economic and non-economic damages

Sex Trafficking Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations sets deadlines for victims to bring claims against their abuser or entities responsible for the abuse. On September 16, 2022, federal legislation entitled “The Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2022” was enacted.  The Act eliminates the statute of limitations for a minor victim of certain federal human trafficking or sex offenses.  Under prior law, the statute of limitations for these claims was no later than 10 years after the date on which the plaintiff reasonably discovers the violation or injury, whichever occurs later, that forms the basis for the claim, or no later than 10 years after the date on which the victim reaches 18 years of age.  While the Act took effect on September 16, 2022, it does not revive claims that would have already been barred as of September 15, 2022 by the prior statute of limitations.  The Act only applies to claims or actions not previously barred that arise after September 16, 2022.  

To understand the statute of limitations for your case, it's essential to consult with an experienced lawyer. At Levy Konigsberg, our attorneys specialize in handling both childhood sexual abuse cases and adult sexual abuse cases. We can assess the merits of your potential case and determine how the statute of limitations specifically applies to the facts of your case.