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. Online Tip Reporting. The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. hangs in the Flag Room at the bureau's headquarters in Washington. 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. So, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking. 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. Main Office: Covenant House is a youth shelter in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Media Contact A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 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. Address: Nationalities Service Center 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 Many girls and women, boys and men are forced or coerced into this lifestyle. We ask anyone with knowledge of child or adult sex trafficking to let us know about it, so we can help. In addition, they also have other housing programs available to youth who complete their shelter program. 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. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 The FBIs Philadelphia Field Division is investigating the case and received significant assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. 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 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. A lock ( Secure .gov websites use HTTPS WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Sex Trafficking Children in Northeast Philadelphia. 33 missing children found in anti-human trafficking operation in Southern California. Eastern District of Pennsylvania 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Eastern District of Pennsylvania Secure .gov websites use HTTPS An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A lock ( ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. 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. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. 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 A locked padlock As a city Philadelphia has major conventions and athletic events as well as many entertainment strips. 215-861-8300. 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. LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are also at Lock PCA conducts forensic interviews and offers therapeutic services specializing in understanding the needs and experiences of trafficking survivors. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. 2023 Cable News Network. Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. 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. Commercial Sexual Exploitation Institute It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan. A locked padlock Updated The dates would take place at the home that Smith leased and the females gave 100 percent of their cash earnings to Smith. The FBI's Philadelphia Division said that 15 pimps and associates were arrested in the area as part of the takedown, which included participation from the Philadelphia Police Department, suburban police departments and prosecutors' offices and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Metcalf and Brittany Jones. The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 Media Contact Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 An indictment is an accusation. He admitted that he had to examine himself as to whether he lusted after young women young enough to be his daughter. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Many of these at-risk youths are referred for services with PCAs CSEC therapist, who is specially trained in this area. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Have a question about Government Services? 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. Address: 31 E. Armat Street Philadelphia PA 19144. The church has a ministry that addresses trafficking in the Philadelphia area. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Thats why there has to be an entire paradigm shift.The average girls who enters this is about 13.. Many who engage in the paid sex during Super Bowl season are not the typical prostitute street walker. Leah Fletcher, Account Executive. When DHS or police identify a child that exhibits red flags, they send that child to PCA for a full assessment. Apple Tea Whats Cookin? NSC also assists individuals with obtaining long term immigration status, supporting survivors when working with law enforcement and assessing for other legal needs. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. You can also TEXT HELP to BeFree (233733). 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 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 Eastern District of Pennsylvania 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. In September 2019, Horne was convicted at trial of three counts of sex trafficking minors by force, fraud or coercion. 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. In a separate Indictment, Ossai is charged with the sex trafficking of a minor in late January 2020. Main Office: Email. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Tipsters can remain anonymous, if they like.. 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 Discovery Company. 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 .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a nationalanti-trafficking hotline and resource center serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Engagement, Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Sex Trafficking Children in Northeast Philadelphia, 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, Philadelphia Man Sentenced To 45 Years For Sex Trafficking Children In Northeast Philadelphia. 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. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Earlier this month outgoing President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. More are involved than we realize.. WebVictims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female. You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth and you never know Lock 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. Nationalities Service Center Consequently, in order to rescue human trafficking victims, one must know how to identify them, the warning signs, and how to help them. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. We, as a society, have to begin facing up to it. 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. Further, Keel and Felts allegedly had explicit discussions via Facebook Messenger about the commercial sex acts occurring at the residences. To view information on the trainings our Coalition offers, please see the Training Catalogue. Phone: 215-832-0900. WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) They provide direct care to juvenile victims of trafficking experiencing homelessness. To view a comprehensive listing of agencies across the Greater Philadelphia region servicing trafficking youth, please see the Social Services Directory. 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 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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