MEMPHIS, TN – A Memphis man faces multiple charges, including trafficking and aggravated statutory rape, after allegedly impregnating a 16-year-old girl and disposing of the newborn in a gas station dumpster.

James Boothe, 45, was indicted by a grand jury, accused of two counts of trafficking for commercial sex acts, promoting prostitution involving minors, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and aggravated statutory rape.

The investigation began on January 27, when Memphis police received an alert about some suspicious activity at the Flairwood Apartments. Upon arrival, a 16-year-old girl flagged down officers, recounting how a man named “James” had abandoned her after she gave birth. The man was later identified as Boothe, according to court documents.

The teenager detailed to police that while Boothe was driving her to a hospital, she went into labor and delivered a baby girl in the vehicle. She alleged that Boothe placed the newborn in a plastic bag and discarded it in a dumpster at a Shell gas station on East Shelby Drive.

According to her statement, she had been involved with Boothe for three years.

Following the teen’s report, officers discovered the deceased infant in the dumpster. Surveillance footage captured an individual resembling Boothe’s description disposing of a black bag at the scene. Boothe is the registered owner of a dark Infiniti SUV, matching the vehicle seen in the footage.

Law enforcement officials located Boothe, who reportedly admitted to the allegations of picking up the teenager from her home. Initially, he was charged with abuse of a corpse, but the recent indictment expanded the charges to include more serious offenses. Details regarding the trafficking and prostitution allegations have not been disclosed by the authorities.

Currently, Boothe is held at the Shelby County Jail with a bond set at $1.25 million.