A jury trial for a man arrested in Bowling Green two years ago on sex trafficking charges is scheduled to begin next month.

A final pretrial conference was held Thursday in U.S. District Court for Portier Quartez Govan, 38.

Govan is charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, interstate transportation for prostitution, obstruction and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Govan’s attorney, Bryan Sergent, informed U.S. District Court Chief Judge Greg Stivers that the case appears likely at this juncture to go to trial, which is set to begin Dec. 16.

“I would say I think it’s likely to go (to trial), but we will be meeting with opposing counsel and there’s always a chance (of a resolution ahead of trial),” Sergent said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Sewell said he anticipated that the trial would last five days.

Sewell said he estimated calling six witnesses to testify for the prosecution, while Sergent said he anticipated calling four witnesses.

A federal grand jury first indicted Govan and a co-defendant, Brittany Howard, last year and a superseding indictment brought additional charges against the pair later in 2023.

Howard pleaded guilty last month to charges of interstate transportation for prostitution and obstructing an investigation.

A plea agreement detailed that Howard drove a 19-year-old woman from Bowling Green to a Nashville shopping center to get her nails done and buy clothing as part of the sex trafficking scheme, with the two then driving back to Bowling Green and engaging in sex work while aided by Govan.

According to federal court records, Govan allegedly took pictures of Howard and the 19-year-old in the newly bought clothing, with the pictures being posted online as part of ads for sex work in Bowling Green.

The Bowling Green Police Department arrested Govan and Howard in 2022 after responding to a report of a disturbance at a Ramada Inn on Scottsville Road.

Howard moved firearms from the hotel room to a car at the business at Govan’s direction and told the 19-year-old to lie to police, according to a copy of Howard’s plea agreement.

The charges against Govan stem from allegations that he forced the 19-year-old into sex work at the Ramada Inn, taking away her phone, vehicle and keys.