Accused Human Trafficker Has Outburst in Court

Olivia Lara screamed and cried when a judge set her bail at $100,000 cash

A Fall River, Mass., courtroom was cleared after an emotional outburst from a woman who insisted she's innocent of sex trafficking of underage girls.

The Fall River Herald News reports 38-year-old Olivia Lara pleaded not guilty Thursday to state human trafficking charges, then screamed and cried when a judge set her bail at $100,000 cash. As she was being escorted from the courtroom she threw herself on the floor. Officers cleared the courtroom when Lara's relatives also began screaming.

Prosecutors said Lara procured underage prostitutes for customers of a Fall River bar and drove the teenage girls to meet the men.

A co-defendant, 30-year-old Feliciano Ramirez, pleaded not guilty to rape of a child, one of the teens.

Lara's attorney denied the allegations and said Lara had told authorities about underage drinking and prostitution at the bar.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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