UPDATE: Man on trial for human trafficking in Salisbury

Cornelius Briddell was back in court for day two of his trial Tuesday. Briddell is accused of being the leader of a prostitution ring operating out of Salisbury in the fall of 2014.

He’s charged with dozens of counts related to dealing in human trafficking, assault, and kidnapping, to name just a few.

According to multiple witnesses Tuesday, Briddell was known by the alias “Slime.” Another witness also said he was an elder at a church.

Two women testified Tuesday that Bridell held them against their will and were forced to have sex with paying customers. The women said they later managed to escape and that there were other victims aside from themselves.

According to their testimony, they were forced to serve what they’re calling “customers” or “John’s” out of America’s Best Value Inn in Salisbury. They were apparently also taken to hotels in Princess Anne and in Dover by Briddell and his quote “pimps in training.”

The witnesses said Bridell posted photos of them on backpage.com and set prices for what customers would pay to have sex with them.

The women also said Bridell took away the personal cell phones of the women involved and gave them burner phones. The reason apparently was so that they could only be reached by customers wishing to engage in sexual acts.

Briddell himself also took the stand Tuesday. He denied the allegations saying none of the women were held against their will and the agreement was that they would quote “sell themselves in exchange for heroin.”

However, Bridell also said he was not the one who gave the women heroin. He also denies threatening them and taking their cell phones.

He admitted that he was indeed part of the prostitution ring, but that he wasn’t the leader, rather the quote “money man.”  Briddell’s trial is expected to wrap up Wednesday.

Briddell was facing 44 counts in court, but at the request of the defense, 8 were thrown out by the judge due to a lack of evidence. He’s now facing 36.