WebVictims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female. 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. Many of these at-risk youths are referred for services with PCAs CSEC therapist, who is specially trained in this area. So, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking. 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. Working alongside the international community, we have seen significant increases in trafficking prosecution and conviction, and we have made great strides in supporting victims.. Lock Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] 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 Salvation Armys New Day to Stop Trafficking Program An official website of the United States government. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Address: 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 300,Philadelphia, PA 19123 All Rights Reserved. This is about helping raise awareness to eradicate human trafficking, Waller said. 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? Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The Philadelphia Juvenile Anti-Trafficking Coalition is the first of its kind focusing on and addressing the needs of child victims of human trafficking and vulnerable subpopulations that are overrepresented and underserved. WebPhiladelphia Police are launching a special task force to battle the growing problem of Human Traffickers preying on children in Philadelphia, CBS has learned. Eight Croatian nationals charged with attempting to traffic children, outside the magistrates court in Ndola, Zambia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Apr 1, 2016 Local Phone: 1-888-373-7888 As many are gathering in front of large flat screen televisions during Super Bowl Sunday surrounded by trays of hors doeuvres, party platters and beer, an underground network will also be working hard. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A Northeast Philadelphia hotel owner was ordered to pay $24 million to eight sex trafficking victims. 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. Phone: 215-832-0900. WebUnited 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 Those who so victimize vulnerable kids do untold physical and emotional harm. 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. 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 All three defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to sex traffic a minor, while Felts and Francis were also each charged with four counts of sex trafficking a minor. 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. Media Contact Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 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 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 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. Earlier this month outgoing President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. Media Contact 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. Have a question about Government Services? An official website of the United States government. 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. Main Office: 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 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. Media Contact 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. Sixteen children considered critically missing were rescued during a four-week operation that concluded this week, according to the US Marshals Service office in Philadelphia. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Yet without those who purchase the services of modern day slaves, like any market, it would dry up. PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. President Obama said there is a need to do more to fight against the exploitation of human beings for profit. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. They provide direct care to juvenile victims of trafficking experiencing homelessness. Call the hotline if you are a victim or want to help someone you think is a victim: 1-888-373-7888. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A Warner Bros. They educate and provide technical assistance to legislators, policy decision makers, and other stakeholders in order to improve legal responses to CSE. Because this is the start of the prime season for human trafficking. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. An official website of the United States government. The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Have a question about Government Services? 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 Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 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. you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: CHILD USA, 3508 MARKET STREET, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. Ryan Keel, 39, was charged with conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. Make no mistake, the Philadelphia Child Exploitation Task Force is working each and every day to lock up sex traffickers and other predators preying on innocent children., This investigation is 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. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. Have a question about Government Services? FOX 29 Philadelphia. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Children cannot sell sex even in places where prostitution is legal. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Allegedly, this defendant forced four young people, one a minor child, to sell their bodies for his financial gain. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. We ask anyone with knowledge of child or adult sex trafficking to let us know about it, so we can help. Blue Campaigns educational awareness objectives consists of two foundational elements, prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons. We know of 22 locations in the state where this is taking place. PCA works in tandem with DHS to connect survivors with the appropriate services. Many girls and women, boys and men are forced or coerced into this lifestyle. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. It is going take the men taking control to reverse this. Address: 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124 Dawns Place offers a year-long residential program to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. You can also TEXT HELP to BeFree (233733). Hebrew International Aid Society A lock ( Phone: 215-951-5411 or 888-829-1249 The allegations against these three men are vile and disturbing. WebPhiladelphia Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Child. The New Day Hotline is also available for 24/7 support to survivors and technical assistance to other professionals. 33 missing children found in anti-human trafficking operation in Southern California. Its not just that women have lowered their standards, but that men are the one who see women as lower, too.. 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. Enslavement of African Americans is rising in the City of Brotherly Love and Sister Affection. Main Office: 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. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 Consequently, in order to rescue human trafficking victims, one must know how to identify them, the warning signs, and how to help them. An official website of the United States government. 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. WebThey 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 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. 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