They may be lured thinking that someone is helping them find a job. To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. Three Philadelphia men were charged, by a federal grand jury, in an indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of Have a question about Government Services? The actual statistics for human trafficking victims from neighborhoods like North, West or South Philadelphia or Northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods like Germantown and Mount Airy is difficult to track. Email 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. Based on the results of that assessment, PCA will secure services for the child. Ryan Keel, 39, was charged with conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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 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. A Warner Bros. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 A lock ( 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 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. Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. Official websites use .gov Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Folks in need of WOAR services do not require insurance. PCA also conducts comprehensive assessments for children who are at risk or prevent red flags of being commercially sexually exploited. WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. At least LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are also at Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It is going take the men taking control to reverse this. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street An official website of the United States government. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE They pay their airfare, hotel room and everything else. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of lifetime imprisonment. Address: 31 E. Armat Street Philadelphia PA 19144. 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. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Philadelphia Children's Alliance. The FBI will never stop working to find and help trafficked victims, to protect them from further abuse and keep their traffickers from hurting anyone else.. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. The toll-free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year in more than 200 languages. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Media Contact A locked padlock 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. 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. For more information please call the New Day Hotline at 267-838-5866. Blue Campaigns educational awareness objectives consists of two foundational elements, prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Our resolve remains steadfast in finding other children in peril.. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. Have a question about Government Services? 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. Allegedly, this defendant forced four young people, one a minor child, to sell their bodies for his financial gain. 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 EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Justice At Work Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. So, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking. Main Office: you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: CHILD USA, 3508 MARKET STREET, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. PCA works in tandem with DHS to connect survivors with the appropriate services. Media Contact Eastern District of Pennsylvania WebTuesday, August 11, 2020. Hebrew International Aid Society According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Smith operated a prostitution business in Philadelphia between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. WebPhiladelphia Division. 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. 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. 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. WebCSEC or Child Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking affects children, too. Text the letters "Befree" or the numbers 233733 to reach the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124, 2023 All rights reserved. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. Address: 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 300,Philadelphia, PA 19123 Yet many are not aware of it despite the fact more and more are becoming victims of human trafficking. Address: Nationalities Service Center 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 Call the hotline if you are a victim or want to help someone you think is a victim: 1-888-373-7888. Anyone who is a victim of child sex trafficking or has Their legal aide also includes guidance for survivors interacting with law enforcement, assistance with obtaining legal status, and other referrals to immigrant social services. To view information on the trainings our Coalition offers, please see the Training Catalogue. 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? They provide direct care to juvenile victims of trafficking experiencing homelessness. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Phone: 1-888-373-7888 A locked padlock Lock 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. A lock ( WebThe Project PROTECT (Philadelphia Response & Outreach To End Child Trafficking) will support the continued advancement of Philadelphias juvenile human trafficking court, 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 Apple Tea Whats Cookin? 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 Furthermore, travelers who frequent turnpike rest stops, ride public transportation or stay in hotels can quickly recognize when a human trafficking victim may be approaching them for assistance. 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. 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 FOX 29 Philadelphia. Have a question about Government Services? The comprehensive programming at Dawns Place supports individuals by addressing their complex needs including trauma services, substance use disorders, legal and educational concerns and more. 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 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. An official website of the United States government. A lock ( 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. The seal of the F.B.I. 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. Smith also had sexual relations with the females who worked for him. WebThis program is designed to improve the juvenile justice and dependency systems' response to child abuse, neglect, commercial sexual exploitation, and sex trafficking of minors and related cases. Apr 1, 2016 Local He also reiterated that the United States, including cities like Philadelphia, must continue this as part of the fight for human rights. 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. Thats why there has to be an entire paradigm shift.The average girls who enters this is about 13.. Now that there is more transparency, we have to be more honest, Walls said. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. 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. 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. Call 1-800-CALL-FBI or go online to tips.fbi.gov. More are involved than we realize.. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Many of these at-risk youths are referred for services with PCAs CSEC therapist, who is specially trained in this area. PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. 215-861-8300. Phone: 215-951-5411 or 888-829-1249 A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A locked padlock 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. 2. An official website of the United States government. HIAS PA provides free legal and immigration services to survivors of trafficking. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The allegations against these three men are vile and disturbing. 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. appreciated. Why? 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. The Salvation Armys New Day to Stop Trafficking Program In addition, they also have other housing programs available to youth who complete their shelter program. We will continue to work collectively with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these destructive crimes against vulnerable children.. is beginning a series about human trafficking. 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 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. An official website of the United States government. Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. 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. At least four of the recovered children were connected to child sex trafficking, the marshals service said on Thursday. 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. We cannot use terms like child prostitution. Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. 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. 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. 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 John Adams, 41, Mercedes Hampton-Devero, 28, Malachai Kendall, 20, and Chukuw Ossai, The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Babb Wilmoth. Children cannot sell sex even in places where prostitution is legal. Earlier this month outgoing President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Eastern District of Pennsylvania hangs in the Flag Room at the bureau's headquarters in Washington. The charges against the defendant stem from his operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding regionincluding Bucks and Delaware counties. 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. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Online Tip Reporting. Official websites use .gov UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 31, 2013. 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