ST. LOUIS – A Northwoods, Missouri, man appeared in federal court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to child sex trafficking.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Rodarious Servick, 50, was indicted last Thursday on one count of child sex trafficking and one count of travel with the intention of engaging in illicit sexual conduct.

According to the indictment, Servick recruited, enticed, harbored, transported or provided a minor for a commercial sex act in 2024 between Aug. 19 and Sept. 13. The indictment further accuses Servick of transporting a minor across state lines for prostitution on Aug. 19.

Prosecutors said law enforcement learned that a runaway minor was being trafficked on Sept. 13. Detectives found an advertisement for the minor, which prompted an undercover operation by the St. Louis County Police Department.

Undercover officers successfully recovered the minor days later. 

The FBI and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department assisted with the investigation.