WebHuman Trafficking Task Forces are a coalition of victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, community members, courts and other parties working to combat human When you hear the testimony of those who have been victimized, men have to be honest. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. While PCA does not conduct every forensic interview of these child victims, we work closely with police and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to make sure that every child still has access to the full constellation of services including medical and mental health treatment. Phone: 215-893-8400 The Indictment alleges that Felts ran a prostitution ring that recruited and enticed young girls, including one who was only fifteen years old, to engage in commercial sex acts; harbored the victims at various residences for that purpose; transported and provided the victims to males who purchased the commercial sex acts; and collected a portion of the proceeds. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL WebPhiladelphia Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Child. This is about helping raise awareness to eradicate human trafficking, Waller said. 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124, 2023 All rights reserved. Blue Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security The fraud is they are selling love, said Hugh Organ, associate director of the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition. They may be lured thinking that someone is helping them find a job. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. They educate and provide technical assistance to legislators, policy decision makers, and other stakeholders in order to improve legal responses to CSE. RALEIGH, N.C. A Maxton man was sentenced today to 252 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy responsible for moving kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin from Mexico to Robeson County, North Carolina. Know that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are working every day to put traffickers like Horne behind bars and ensure some justice for their victims. 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. This means the demand for this is modern-day enslavement continues. Main Office: PCA works in tandem with DHS to connect survivors with the appropriate services. 215-861-8300. This series will assist local residents in being part of the network that can direct victims to safety and healing. Email. 33 missing children found in anti-human trafficking operation in Southern California. Official websites use .gov 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. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Philadelphia Police Department Vice Unit, with assistance from the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office and the Bucks County District Attorneys Office. This ongoing series will address this and more. Media Contact U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, The defendants allegedly advertised the minors online and harbored them in area hotels and properties, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Engagement, Four Philadelphians Charged With Sex Trafficking of Minors, 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. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Horne created Internet advertisements for each of the victims on the website Backpage.com, and he transported them across state lines to New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., and Maryland for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts. An official website of the United States government. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Tweet Share Pin Email Tweet Share Pin Email Related Posts AACP Philadelphia Branch Update NAACP Philadelphia Branch Tweet Share Pin Email ABOVE PHOTO: President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St. Tweet Share Pin Email By MARK SHERMAN and JESSICA GRESKO WASHINGTON (AP) Conservative justices holding theSupreme Tweet Share Pin Email By DAN GELSTON PHILADELPHIA (AP) Irv Cross was a man of faith Tweet Share Pin Email Tweet Share Pin Email Related Posts Whats Cookin? Smith lived with several of the females who were working for him. 2. you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: CHILD USA, 3508 MARKET STREET, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. Fax: 215-733-0876. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Delaware County District Attorneys Office, the Bensalem Police Department, the Media Borough Police Department, the Tinicum Township Police Department and the Philadelphia Police Department. Online Tip Reporting. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 According to publicly filed court documents, Adams, whose self-professed nickname was Captain Save-A-Hoe, along with co-defendants Hampton-Devero and Kendall, trafficked two minors during approximately three weeks in January of 2020 from multiple locations in Philadelphia. Three Philadelphia men were charged, by a federal grand jury, in an indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of PHILADELPHIA 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 Indictment for their roles in a sex trafficking operation that exploited numerous minor children from 2016 through 2017. CHERRY HILL, N.J. - Officials announced Tuesday th arrest of three people for allegedly trafficking a missing child for prostitution. He recruited young women, including a minor (Minor 1), to work as prostitutes. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Smith operated a prostitution business in Philadelphia between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011. So, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking. Children cannot sell sex even in places where prostitution is legal. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We cannot use terms like child prostitution. 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. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Lock For more information please call the New Day Hotline at 267-838-5866. An official website of the United States government. Based on the results of that assessment, PCA will secure services for the child. At least one of the victims was also a victim of physical violence during the operation of the trafficking ring: according to public filings, Felts pulled her from a vehicle and repeatedly stomped on her. 215-861-8300. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of lifetime imprisonment. 6:45 PM EDT, Sat March 20, 2021. In addition, PCA works closely with DHS to provide comprehensive assessments of children referred to DHS who are screened for concerns of being exploited. These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Tinicum Township Police Department and the Philadelphia Police Department, and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erica Kivitz. Dubbed Operation Safeguard, the initiative began on February 15 when a US Marshals Service task force took over 26 missing children cases at the request of other law enforcement agencies. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara Solow and Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Department of Justice Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Earlier this month outgoing President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Folks in need of WOAR services do not require insurance. As a city Philadelphia has major conventions and athletic events as well as many entertainment strips. WebAdding a category of perpetrator to include: an individual 18 years of age or older who engages a child in severe forms of trafficking in persons or sex trafficking, as those terms are defined under section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Further, Keel and Felts allegedly had explicit discussions via Facebook Messenger about the commercial sex acts occurring at the residences. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. HIAS PA provides free legal and immigration services to survivors of trafficking. 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. Lock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. We ask anyone with knowledge of child or adult sex trafficking to let us know about it, so we can help. WOAR, Philadelphias only rape crisis center, provides free counseling and trauma therapy services to child, teen, and adult survivors of sexual violence, including survivors of sex trafficking. Many who engage in the paid sex during Super Bowl season are not the typical prostitute street walker. Official websites use .gov Secure .gov websites use HTTPS PCA also conducts comprehensive assessments for children who are at risk or prevent red flags of being commercially sexually exploited. WebThe Project PROTECT (Philadelphia Response & Outreach To End Child Trafficking) will support the continued advancement of Philadelphias juvenile human trafficking court, Have a question about Government Services? He deserves every minute of the 45 years that he received today., Artavius Horne made his living by sexually exploiting children, advertising underage girls for sex with strangers, said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Philadelphia Division. The defendants allegedly used their cell phones to post advertisements of the victims on a website which is known to be used for advertising sexual services for a fee, directed the minors to participate in commercial sex acts, and took a portion of the proceeds on each occasion. Its a hard statistic, but 1 in 6 children reported missing in the U.S. are likely victims of child sex trafficking, one of He even transported them to other cities and states, determined to keep the money coming in at their expense. Ryan Keel, 39, was charged with conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. 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. Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) Now that there is more transparency, we have to be more honest, Walls said. To view a comprehensive listing of agencies across the Greater Philadelphia region servicing trafficking youth, please see the Social Services Directory. The Project PROTECT (Philadelphia Response & Outreach To End Child Trafficking) will support the continued advancement of Philadelphias juvenile human trafficking court, Working to Restore Adolescent Power (WRAP Court), and related programs serving child victims of human trafficking. A locked padlock The allegations against these three men are vile and disturbing. Updated 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Have a question about Government Services? Eastern District of Pennsylvania Why? To view information on the trainings our Coalition offers, please see the Training Catalogue. 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 Lock 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. 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. Those in the community must also engage in self-examination to ascertain if one is playing a role in the proliferation of this crime against humanity. Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are also at A lock ( Deputy US marshals assigned to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force led the operation along with personnel from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, Bucks County Children Youth Services, the Philadelphia Police Departments Human Trafficking Unit, and the FBI. 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 As part of the scheme, the defendant recruited, enticed and maintained three minor children, one of whom was as young as 13 years old, to engage in commercial sexual encounters. Finally, what is the paradigm shift that must occur in society to finally obliterate human trafficking? 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. The charges against the defendant stem from his operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding regionincluding Bucks and Delaware counties. hangs in the Flag Room at the bureau's headquarters in Washington. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Smith faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment on Count One, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment on Count Two, a $500,000 fine, a lifetime period of supervised release and a $200 special assessment. Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Sex Trafficking Children in Northeast Philadelphia. Philadelphia Children's Alliance. Enslavement of African Americans is rising in the City of Brotherly Love and Sister Affection. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. 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. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Main Office: Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A Warner Bros. When the minors were rescued and Adams learned he was under investigation by the FBI, he allegedly wiped his cell phone clean of all incriminating evidence. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. Free counseling and trauma therapy services offered include individual and group sessions. Eastern District of Pennsylvania EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Kendall was also charged with both production and distribution of child pornography, and Adams was also charged with tampering with evidence in a federal investigation. Official websites use .gov 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 PCA conducts forensic interviews and offers therapeutic services specializing in understanding the needs and experiences of trafficking survivors. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 Phone: 215-832-0900. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 An official website of the United States government. I am gratified that the defendants are all now off the streets and in custody pending trial on these charges, said U.S. Attorney McSwain. All Rights Reserved. Enoch Smith, 36, a/k/a Drees, a/k/a Idris, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted today of all charges including sex 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. WebCHILD SEX ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING CHILD USA works to create a safer world for children by reforming the statutes of limitation for child sex abuse, working to end child marriage, and the abuse and neglect of athletes. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. According to public filings, Ossai trafficked one minor, took her to a lingerie store where he picked out lingerie for her, posted an advertisement of her on a website used to advertise sexual services for a fee, and harbored her in a hotel room in Lester, PA. As charged, Ossai drove the minor victim to a housing project in Philadelphia for her to engage in a commercial sex act, and he attempted to have sex with her himself. Prior to joining the FBI, I was employed as an Immigration human trafficking, violent crimes against children, and other federal violations. More are involved than we realize.. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. Main Office: This month, let us find inspiration in Americas progress toward justice, opportunity, and prosperity for all and affirm out pledge to continue fighting for human rights around the world, he said. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Apr 1, 2016 Local Have a question about Government Services? To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. Main Office: The crimes Smith is accused of committing are some of the most devastating to victims that our office prosecutes, said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. Nationalities Service Center provides intensive case management services to support with basic needs, safety planning, acquiring public benefits, and other referrals for physical and mental health providers. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by 215-861-8300. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. WebPhiladelphia Division. UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
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