A man has pleaded not guilty to charges of raping an underage girl in Bellevue and trafficking her for sex on Aurora Avenue in Seattle. The 24-year-old, identified as Ray Anthony Laval III, entered the plea as prosecutors formally presented the accusations against him in court.
During the court appearance, Laval's attorney blocked the view of news cameras as prosecutors leveled the charges. The case stems from allegations that the young victim was sexually abused and then exploited for commercial sex.
According to prosecutors, Laval faces charges of human trafficking, promoting the commercial sexual abuse of a minor, and rape of a child. The combination of charges reflects the seriousness of the allegations at the center of the case.
Beyond the trafficking and abuse counts, Laval is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of drugs with intent to sell. Those additional charges broaden the scope of the case being built against him.
Bellevue police arrested Laval on March 18 at the Belle Center Apartments. The arrest set in motion the legal process that has now reached the court phase, where he has formally denied the allegations.
The alleged trafficking is said to have taken place along Aurora Avenue in Seattle. With his not-guilty plea entered, the case is now set to proceed through the courts as prosecutors press the multiple charges against him.