Andreozzi + Foote has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a survivor who was trafficked as a child between 2014 and 2018 in California and Arizona. The case I.G. v. Motel 6 (District of Arizona) seeks to hold the hotel chain accountable for its failure to intervene as a visibly underage girl was repeatedly exploited for commercial sex on its property.
Case Overview
At only 14 years old, the survivor ran away from home and met her trafficker, Louis Broadway-Phillips, through another woman. He promised her safety and shelter, but in exchange, he forced her into prostitution. Over the next four years, he used drugs, alcohol, violence, and manipulation to maintain control and profit from her exploitation.
Federal authorities prosecuted Louis Broadway-Phillips for sex trafficking minors, and in 2018, a court sentenced him to 10 years in prison following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Phoenix Police Department.
The trafficker moved the survivor between Arizona and California, keeping her in low-budget hotels that law enforcement already recognized as high-risk trafficking locations. This lawsuit targets one of those properties, a Motel 6 in Phoenix that now operates as a Red Roof Inn.
Hotel staff allegedly ignored clear warning signs. Multiple adult men entering and leaving the room, cash payments, requests for extra linens and condoms, visible drug use, and a child appearing distressed and malnourished. Despite these red flags, staff failed to intervene or contact authorities.
How Traffickers Exploit Hotels and Why Accountability Matters
This case shows how traffickers exploit hotel chains and the transient nature of the hospitality industry to hide their crimes in plain sight. The trafficker moved the victim between California and Arizona, using budget motels to conduct business with little oversight.
By pursuing this case, survivors and advocates are demanding accountability. But, not only from traffickers but also from the corporations that enabled and profited from the abuse. Civil lawsuits like this one expose the systemic negligence that allows child trafficking to thrive behind closed doors.
A Call for Systemic Reform
This lawsuit goes beyond one survivor’s story and demands real reform in the hotel industry. Survivors of trafficking deserve justice and accountability, not silence. Every hotel that ignores exploitation must face the consequences of its inaction.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we stand with survivors. We honor the courage it takes to speak out after years of trauma and support survivors every step of the way. Our mission is simple: no corporation should profit from a child’s abuse, and every survivor deserves to be heard and healed.
What Andreozzi + Foote Can Do for Survivors
If you or someone you know:
- Was trafficked as a minor or adult in or through a hotel or motel property;
- Was visibly underage, coerced, or under the influence, and hotel staff ignored it;
- Or wishes to explore holding traffickers and corporations accountable—
Our firm can help.
Andreozzi + Foote offers:
- Free, confidential consultations for survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse;
- Experienced civil representation against traffickers and the institutions that enabled them;
- Trauma-informed advocacy that prioritizes dignity, safety, and healing;
- Nationwide experience in multi-state trafficking litigation.
You are not alone. You deserve justice. We are here to help you take the next step toward healing and accountability.