Judge Dismisses Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Against MGM Resorts, Boyd Gaming

By Michael Thompson

December 4, 2024 at 03:08 PM

A federal judge in Nevada has dismissed a sex trafficking lawsuit against MGM Resorts and Boyd Gaming filed by a woman who alleges she was forced into prostitution at their Las Vegas properties starting at age 14.

Anti-human trafficking billboard sign

Anti-human trafficking billboard sign

The plaintiff, identified as "Tyla D.," claimed she was trafficked at Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and The Orleans between 2006-2007 and again in 2013. According to the complaint, multiple men controlled her through violence, rape, and coercion while forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts.

The lawsuit alleged the casino operators were complicit by ignoring clear signs of trafficking, noting that even when facial recognition software flagged her frequent visits in 2013, security staff failed to intervene.

Chief U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon dismissed the case on two main grounds:

  1. The 10-year statute of limitations had expired, and the plaintiff failed to demonstrate extraordinary circumstances that prevented timely filing
  2. The complaint lacked sufficient evidence that the hotels knew she was specifically being trafficked, rather than engaging in voluntary sex work

Gordon ruled that merely knowing about general commercial sex activity on property isn't enough - plaintiffs must prove defendants knew or should have known about actual trafficking involving force, fraud, or coercion.

The judge has given Tyla D. until December 20 to file an amended complaint addressing these legal deficiencies.

Related Articles

Previous Articles