Further, Keel and Felts allegedly had explicit discussions via Facebook Messenger about the commercial sex acts occurring at the residences. Prior to joining the FBI, I was employed as an Immigration human trafficking, violent crimes against children, and other federal violations. Eastern District of Pennsylvania
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. Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to create general awarenesstrainingand materials for law enforcement and others to increase detection of human trafficking, and to identify victims. Many of these at-risk youths are referred for services with PCAs CSEC therapist, who is specially trained in this area. 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. Anyone who is a victim of child sex trafficking or has Lock The FBIs Philadelphia Field Division is investigating the case and received significant assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. 215-861-8300. A lock ( Rich Walls of North Philadelphia learned much from an all-male workshop held at Enon last year. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that John Adams, 41, Mercedes Hampton-Devero, 28, Malachai Kendall, 20, and Chukuw Ossai, Enons A Day In The Life Conference Uses The Victims Voice To Talk About Human Trafficking, Enon Tabernacle holds human trafficking walk/run Oct. 3, Biden declares Kyiv stands in surprise visit to Ukraine, Supreme Court seems ready to reject student loan forgiveness, Former Philadelphia Eagle, CBS anchor Irv Cross had brain disease CTE, Queen Latifah will host the 2023 NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 25 in Pasadena CA. Lock Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 Common examples of identified child trafficking cases include: Commercial sex Stripping Pornography Forced begging Magazine crews Au pairs or nannies Restaurant work Hair and nail salons Agricultural work Drug sales and cultivation So, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking. Covenant House Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. Smith was charged locally and was later charged in a federal indictment. Updated PCA believes strongly that understanding and responding to the needs of commercially sexually exploited youth in Philadelphia is critical, and we are committed to providing every child victim of sex trafficking with the same comprehensive care and coordinated response as other referrals to our facility. A locked padlock When you hear the testimony of those who have been victimized, men have to be honest. Tipsters can remain anonymous, if they like.. To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. 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 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. If you have not done so already, follow @USAO_EDPA and @USAttyMcSwain on Twitter to get the most up-to-date information about big cases and community news. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Smith lived with several of the females who were working for him. All Rights Reserved. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Babb Wilmoth. Media Contact The Philadelphia Police Department learned of the prostitution operation by surveying Backpage advertisements and conducted an undercover sting operation at the premises in June 2011. 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124, 2023 All rights reserved. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Leah Fletcher, Account Executive. 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Metcalf and Brittany Jones. They are not just the drug user, the wayward runaway teen, or the troubled foster child. WebIf you are victim of human trafficking and need help or suspect that someone else is a victim: Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. Apple Tea Whats Cookin? Official websites use .gov The Salvation Armys New Day to Stop Trafficking Program Justice At Work assists with recovering unpaid wages, obtaining lawful immigration status for individuals and their families, and connecting communities with resources that provide services victims of trafficking. Many who engage in the paid sex during Super Bowl season are not the typical prostitute street walker. In 2017, Horne was convicted of similar offenses in Bucks County, PA. Horne committed these heinous acts while on parole for doing the exact same thing, said U.S. Attorney McSwain. The seal of the F.B.I. He has no regard for the law -- or even basic human decency -- as evidenced by his willingness to sell the bodies of children for sex to benefit himself. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Address: 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 300,Philadelphia, PA 19123 They pay their airfare, hotel room and everything else. An indictment is an accusation. Eight Croatian nationals charged with attempting to traffic children, outside the magistrates court in Ndola, Zambia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Lock The church has a ministry that addresses trafficking in the Philadelphia area. In September 2019, Horne was convicted at trial of three counts of sex trafficking minors by force, fraud or coercion. Our resolve remains steadfast in finding other children in peril.. Healthy Minds Philly is an initiative of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, City of Philadelphia, 24-HOUR NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE |, National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), The Salvation Armys New Day to Stop Trafficking Program, Blue Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. An official website of the United States government. 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. As a city Philadelphia has major conventions and athletic events as well as many entertainment strips. He recruited young women, including a minor (Minor 1), to work as prostitutes. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. PCA works in tandem with DHS to connect survivors with the appropriate services. 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. Blue Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security They may be lured thinking that someone is helping them find a job. 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. 33 missing children found in anti-human trafficking operation in Southern California. So far the 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. The dates would take place at the home that Smith leased and the females gave 100 percent of their cash earnings to Smith. appreciated. 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. A Warner Bros. WebHuman Trafficking Task Forces are a coalition of victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, community members, courts and other parties working to combat human This ongoing series will address this and more. WebPHILADELPHIA 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, We cannot use terms like child prostitution. Phone: 215-387-9500. PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. After a few days they are trafficking them. Call the hotline if you are a victim or want to help someone you think is a victim: 1-888-373-7888. 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. Enoch Smith, 36, a/k/a Drees, a/k/a Idris, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted today of all charges including sex It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. Their legal aide also includes guidance for survivors interacting with law enforcement, assistance with obtaining legal status, and other referrals to immigrant social services. 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. 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