Lock The dates would take place at the home that Smith leased and the females gave 100 percent of their cash earnings to Smith. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. HIAS PA provides free legal and immigration services to survivors of trafficking. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Every action we take at home, form the clothing we wear to the food we eat, is connected to what happens around the world, Obama said. 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 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. The FBIs Philadelphia Field Division is investigating the case and received significant assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. Main Office: Tipsters can remain anonymous, if they like.. Phone: 215-951-5411 or 888-829-1249 Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. 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. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that John Adams, 41, Mercedes Hampton-Devero, 28, Malachai Kendall, 20, and Chukuw Ossai, At least Main Office: Also according to court documents, Adams and Kendall each coerced the minors into having sex with them on multiple occasions, and Hampton-Devero instructed one of the minor victims to record commercial sex acts on her cell phone for Devero to post online to attract more sex buyers. Though local statistics are difficult to come by, the one thing that experts agree on is that girls and young women are its primary victims. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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. He said this is the time to shine the light on both the consequences and root causes of human trafficking. 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. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of lifetime imprisonment. Their legal aide also includes guidance for survivors interacting with law enforcement, assistance with obtaining legal status, and other referrals to immigrant social services. Official websites use .gov Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Official websites use .gov Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] This ongoing series will address this and more. 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. Lock Eight Croatian nationals charged with attempting to traffic children, outside the magistrates court in Ndola, Zambia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Have a question about Government Services? An official website of the United States government. A Northeast Philadelphia hotel owner was ordered to pay $24 million to eight sex trafficking victims. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Three Philadelphia men were charged, by a federal grand jury, in an indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Online Tip Reporting. 215-861-8300. 3. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Many who engage in the paid sex during Super Bowl season are not the typical prostitute street walker. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize theindicatorsof human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. 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 Phone: 215-733-0878 Hebrew International Aid Society Email. 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. 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. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. 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. appreciated. 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. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by WebThe 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 CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. An official website of the United States government. Media Contact WebYoung women and girls are the most at-risk of trafficking, although boys are also trafficked and are less likely to ask for help. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 NSC also assists individuals with obtaining long term immigration status, supporting survivors when working with law enforcement and assessing for other legal needs. Blue Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security 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. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Babb Wilmoth. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. WebTuesday, August 11, 2020. A lock ( Covenant House Phone: 215-832-0900. 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. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE 215-861-8300. 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. Yet without those who purchase the services of modern day slaves, like any market, it would dry up. WebThe children were cleaning blood and animal parts off the floor of meatpacking plants by night and going to school by day, the Labor Department investigators said. Address: 600 Chestnut St., Suite 500B Philadelphia, PA 19106 Further, Keel and Felts allegedly had explicit discussions via Facebook Messenger about the commercial sex acts occurring at the residences. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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 Those who so victimize vulnerable kids do untold physical and emotional harm. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. Phone: 1-888-373-7888 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 You can also TEXT HELP to BeFree (233733). Trained Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates and supervisory staff provide assistance to victims in crisis through safety planning, emotional support and/or immediate connections to emergency services through our network of trained service provider and law enforcement partners. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. All Rights Reserved. LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are also at 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. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Apple Tea Whats Cookin? 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. Smith was charged locally and was later charged in a federal indictment. One person who is well aware of this is Ellyn Jo Waller, the first lady of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, with campuses in Mount Airy and Germantown. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 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. 33 missing children found in anti-human trafficking operation in Southern California. 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. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. Official websites use .gov To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. An indictment is an accusation. The New Day Hotline is also available for 24/7 support to survivors and technical assistance to other professionals. WebPhiladelphia Men Charged with Child Sex Trafficking. Address: Nationalities Service Center 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 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. Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Special Agent in Charge Michel J. Driscoll of the FBIs Philadelphia Field Division made the announcement. This means the demand for this is modern-day enslavement continues. The minor was rescued from Ossais vehicle after he was pulled over in Tinicum Township. Apr 1, 2016 Local 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. Its even more difficult to ascertain who are being forced or coerced into the trade. WebPhiladelphia Division. Anyone who is a victim of child sex trafficking or has He recruited young women, including a minor (Minor 1), to work as prostitutes. Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Call the hotline if you are a victim or want to help someone you think is a victim: 1-888-373-7888. Media Contact If you have not done so already, follow @USAO_EDPA and @USAttyWilliams on Twitter to get the most up-to-date information about big cases and community news. 215-861-8300. Main Office: In addition, they also have other housing programs available to youth who complete their shelter program. On December 8, 2021, Jeremiah Eli Lowery pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth and you never know Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL 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. 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. Prior to joining the FBI, I was employed as an Immigration human trafficking, violent crimes against children, and other federal violations. 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. The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. 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. 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. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. A lock ( 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 Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by force and sex trafficking a minor. 215-861-8300. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Discovery Company. 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. 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 They educate and provide technical assistance to legislators, policy decision makers, and other stakeholders in order to improve legal responses to CSE. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Why? For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. PHILADELPHIA United States Attorney William M. We cannot use terms like child prostitution. Official websites use .gov Kevin Smith allegedly did just that to three young women and a child. 2. Have a question about Government Services? 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. We, as a society, have to begin facing up to it. 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. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Many are kidnapped from corners waiting for yellow school buses, enticed through social media to what they think is a fun night on the town, or taken to secluded spots with the promise of a way to supplement their meager wages. Super Bowl season are not the typical prostitute Street walker Editor Teresa Emerson. A society, have to begin facing up to it and was charged... He was pulled over in Tinicum Township Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 WebHuman trafficking | |... To other professionals your story please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence.. Complaint is an accusation 33 missing children found in anti-human trafficking operation in Southern California young women and child. 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