Rich Walls of North Philadelphia learned much from an all-male workshop held at Enon last year. The Indictment alleges that for about seven days at the end of September 2019, Smith knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, maintained a minor for the purposes of forcing that minor to engage in commercial sex acts in Philadelphia. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Engagement, Philadelphia Man Charged With Forcible Sex Trafficking of Multiple Victims Including a Minor, Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Two Teenage Girls, Fourth and Final Co-Defendant in Brutal West Philly Sex Trafficking Case Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison, Four Members and Associates of Reading Boarding House Sex Trafficking Gang The Sevens Convicted After Six-Week Trial in Allentown. We know of 22 locations in the state where this is taking place. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. WebAn FBI operation focused on combatting child sex trafficking around the world resulted in the arrests of 15 suspected pimps and associates in the Philadelphia region, authorities Three Philadelphia men were charged, by a federal grand jury, in an indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for their roles in a sex trafficking operation that exploited numerous minors from 2016 through 2017. After the workshop he, like the other men present, needed to change how they looked at girls and women as sex objects first and as their spiritual sister secondarily. The FBI's Philadelphia Division said that 15 pimps and associates were arrested in the area as part of the takedown, which included participation from the Philadelphia Police Department, suburban police departments and prosecutors' offices and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. Media Contact A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. WebVictims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female. It has hosted many programs to raise local awareness, like the A Day in the Life hosted by Shes My Sister ministry and provides safe havens for some of those rescued from local enslavement. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. WebIn January 2020, we convened the Philadelphia Juvenile Anti-Trafficking Coalition, gathering 50+ public and private agencies to collaborate on identifying gaps in services for trafficked After a few days they are trafficking them. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Official websites use .gov Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A subsequent forensic examination of Smiths laptop computer revealed two sexually explicit images of Minor 1, both of which were taken prior to her 18th birthday. Hebrew International Aid Society Justice At Work He also kept the victims in apartments throughout Philadelphia, known as trap houses, where they were made to engage in commercial sex for the benefit of the defendant. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. An official website of the United States government. Updated They are not just the drug user, the wayward runaway teen, or the troubled foster child. In September 2019, Horne was convicted at trial of three counts of sex trafficking minors by force, fraud or coercion. This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. The New Day Hotline is also available for 24/7 support to survivors and technical assistance to other professionals. Apr 1, 2016 Local ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. PHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that John Adams, 41, Mercedes Hampton-Devero, 28, Malachai Kendall, 20, and Chukuw Ossai, 31, all of Philadelphia, PA, were arrested and charged in two separate Indictments with sex trafficking of minors. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by A locked padlock Yet many are not aware of it despite the fact more and more are becoming victims of human trafficking. WebYoung women and girls are the most at-risk of trafficking, although boys are also trafficked and are less likely to ask for help. A Northeast Philadelphia hotel owner was ordered to pay $24 million to eight sex trafficking victims. Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. They will be trafficking women and young girls on major highways and airports, arranging for sexual rendezvous in Center City hotel rooms or unmarked vans on a tree-lined residential street. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 President Obama said there is a need to do more to fight against the exploitation of human beings for profit. Eastern District of Pennsylvania 215-861-8300. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Enoch Smith, 36, a/k/a Drees, a/k/a Idris, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted today of all charges including sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography. An official website of the United States government. Kelly Sagastume, Program Manager, Project PROTECT, ksagastume@sccalaw.org, Dana Bernhaut, Child Policy Associate, dbernhaut@sccalaw.org. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. He admitted that he had to examine himself as to whether he lusted after young women young enough to be his daughter. The allegations against these three men are vile and disturbing. Because this is the start of the prime season for human trafficking. The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Main Office: During this time, Kendall also allegedly used his cell phone to record one of the minors performing oral sex on him and then sent the video to the minor victim. Its a hard statistic, but 1 in 6 children reported missing in the U.S. are likely victims of child sex trafficking, one of Federal agents arrested three Philadelphia men Friday in connection to a child sex trafficking sting operation, and Your Content is first to reveal the identities of the men.. United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that three men, Andre Michael Felts, 32, Kevin Michael Francis, 60, and Ryan Keel, 39, all of Philadelphia, PA, were charged by Participating agencies of the Coalition discuss actionable steps towards improving city-wide efforts and collaboration to ensure that youth are able to access the multitude of services across systems throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. A Philadelphia man is accused of trafficking four victims, one of whom was a minor, in Bucks County and surrounding areas, according to federal authorities. Enoch Smith, 36, a/k/a Drees, a/k/a Idris, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted today of all charges including sex We will continue to work collectively to investigate these destructive crimes against the most vulnerable victims., Using physical threats to control another human being, to force them into sexual exploitation, is unconscionable, said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Philadelphia Division. Enslavement of African Americans is rising in the City of Brotherly Love and Sister Affection. All Rights Reserved. CHERRY HILL, N.J. - Officials announced Tuesday th arrest of three people for allegedly trafficking a missing child for prostitution. Have a question about Government Services? PHILADELPHIA United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Artavius Horne, a/k/a Lo, 36, of Philadelphia, PA was sentenced to 45 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert for sex trafficking three children for years. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Based on the results of that assessment, PCA will secure services for the child. WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) WebAddress: 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124 Phone: 215-387-9500 Legal and Immigration Services, Trainings and Advocacy Justice At Work Justice At Work The children involved are considered some of the most at-risk and challenging cases in the Philadelphia area, the marshals service said, based on high-risk factors including child sex trafficking and exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions. Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 31, 2013. An official website of the United States government. When you hear the testimony of those who have been victimized, men have to be honest. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Andre Michael Felts, aka Dre and Plug, 32, and Kevin Michael Francis, aka Kev, 60, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to sex traffic a minor and four counts of sex trafficking a minor. You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth and you never know Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Babb Wilmoth. It also alleges that Smith operated a sex trafficking enterprise at various times over a period of two years from July 2015 to July 2017, during which he used physical threats to force three different young adult victims to have sex for money. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Engagement, Philadelphia Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Child, Eastern District of Pennsylvanias U.S. Attorneys Office Hosts Presentation on Autism-Based Discrimination in Schools, Camps, and Childcare Facilities, One Leader of a Violent Sex Trafficking Gang Sentenced to Life and a Consecutive Ten Years Imprisonment, and a Gang Associate Sentenced to 37 years Imprisonment, Chester County Doctor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Operating Pill Mill Out of Main Line Pain Clinic. Address: 31 E. Armat Street Philadelphia PA 19144. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 A locked padlock An official website of the United States government. PCA conducts forensic interviews and offers therapeutic services specializing in understanding the needs and experiences of trafficking survivors. We will continue to work collectively with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these destructive crimes against vulnerable children.. Smith would photograph each female in his home with his camera and, using his laptop computer, would create an Internet advertisement for each on a website known as Backpage.com. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Secure .gov websites use HTTPS We cannot use terms like child prostitution. The charges against the defendant stem from his operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding regionincluding Bucks and Delaware counties. The FBIs Philadelphia Field Division is investigating the case and received significant assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. Covenant House is a youth shelter in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. WebThe Project PROTECT (Philadelphia Response & Outreach To End Child Trafficking) will support the continued advancement of Philadelphias juvenile human trafficking court, Call the hotline if you are a victim or want to help someone you think is a victim: 1-888-373-7888. Discovery Company. Working with our federal partners, we will do all that we can to keep criminals who sell the bodies of children for their own profit securely behind bars so they can do no more harm., To advertise underage girls for sex, to willfully pimp them out for profit, is heinous, said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. WebCSEC or Child Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking affects children, too. Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Engagement, Three Philadelphia Men Detained on Charges of Child Sex Trafficking, Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Two Teenage Girls, Fourth and Final Co-Defendant in Brutal West Philly Sex Trafficking Case Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison, Four Members and Associates of Reading Boarding House Sex Trafficking Gang The Sevens Convicted After Six-Week Trial in Allentown, Three Philadelphia Men Detained On Charges of Child Sex Trafficking. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Email. Lock Tipsters can remain anonymous, if they like.. WebTrafficking PCA believes strongly that understanding and responding to the needs of commercially sexually exploited youth in Philadelphia is critical, and we are committed to Did you encounter any technical issues? Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Solow of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case. Many girls and women, boys and men are forced or coerced into this lifestyle. Our hope is for a better future for the 16 children we recovered, said Eric Gartner, the US marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Phone: 215-893-8400 Justice At Work specializes in providing free legal representation to victims of labor trafficking as well as other communities of workers. 3. An official website of the United States government. appreciated. Lock WebHuman Trafficking Task Forces are a coalition of victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, community members, courts and other parties working to combat human Online Tip Reporting. Ryan Keel, 39, was charged with conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. 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