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. PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. 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. 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 If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. The seal of the F.B.I. 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. So, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Delaware County District Attorneys Office, the Bensalem Police Department, the Media Borough Police Department, the Tinicum Township Police Department and the Philadelphia Police Department. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A Northeast Philadelphia hotel owner was ordered to pay $24 million to eight sex trafficking victims. Phone: 215-387-9500. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 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. Discovery Company. Covenant House is a youth shelter in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Lock 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, A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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 An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. Why? Apple Tea Whats Cookin? WebPhiladelphia Men Charged with Child Sex Trafficking. Main Office: Because this is the start of the prime season for human trafficking. A locked padlock 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. The dates would take place at the home that Smith leased and the females gave 100 percent of their cash earnings to Smith. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Smith lived with several of the females who were working for him. 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. 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. Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) As a city Philadelphia has major conventions and athletic events as well as many entertainment strips. 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. After a few days they are trafficking them. The Salvation Armys New Day to Stop Trafficking Program Its not just that women have lowered their standards, but that men are the one who see women as lower, too.. WebSixteen children considered critically missing were rescued during a four-week operation that concluded this week, according to the US Marshals Service office in Philadelphia. Justice At Work specializes in providing free legal representation to victims of labor trafficking as well as other communities of workers. Rich Walls of North Philadelphia learned much from an all-male workshop held at Enon last year. 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. PHILADELPHIA United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Artavius Horne, a/k/a Lo, 36, of Philadelphia, PA was sentenced to 45 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert for sex trafficking three children for years. The New Day Hotline is also available for 24/7 support to survivors and technical assistance to other professionals. The allegations against these three men are vile and disturbing. He also reiterated that the United States, including cities like Philadelphia, must continue this as part of the fight for human rights. 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. 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. A lock ( WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. appreciated. In a separate Indictment, Ossai is charged with the sex trafficking of a minor in late January 2020. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 A locked padlock Official websites use .gov 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 Justice At Work Covenant House The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. Their legal aide also includes guidance for survivors interacting with law enforcement, assistance with obtaining legal status, and other referrals to immigrant social services. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Have a question about Government Services? Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. They pay their airfare, hotel room and everything else. LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are also at It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan. Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124, 2023 All rights reserved. Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. 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. CHERRY HILL, N.J. - Officials announced Tuesday th arrest of three people for allegedly trafficking a missing child for prostitution. Official websites use .gov 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. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Official websites use .gov 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. A locked padlock Further, Keel and Felts allegedly had explicit discussions via Facebook Messenger about the commercial sex acts occurring at the residences. Have a question about Government Services? Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Smith was charged locally and was later charged in a federal indictment. 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.. 3. 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. Dawns Place A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Address: 600 Chestnut St., Suite 500B Philadelphia, PA 19106 Online Tip Reporting. Dubbed Operation Safeguard, the initiative began on February 15 when a US Marshals Service task force took over 26 missing children cases at the request of other law enforcement agencies. Media Contact WebHuman Trafficking Task Forces are a coalition of victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, community members, courts and other parties working to combat human 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 The church has a ministry that addresses trafficking in the Philadelphia area. Many who engage in the paid sex during Super Bowl season are not the typical prostitute street walker. WebYoung women and girls are the most at-risk of trafficking, although boys are also trafficked and are less likely to ask for help. 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. 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. 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 .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A lock ( We will continue to work collectively with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these destructive crimes against vulnerable children.. Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. Official websites use .gov New Day is a multi-faceted program designed to serve survivors of commercial sexual exploitation as well as sex and labor trafficking. A locked padlock Call 1-800-CALL-FBI or go online to tips.fbi.gov. HIAS PA provides free legal and immigration services to survivors of trafficking. 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. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Dawns Place offers a year-long residential program to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. In September 2019, Horne was convicted at trial of three counts of sex trafficking minors by force, fraud or coercion. Media Contact It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. Phone: 215-733-0878 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. Free counseling and trauma therapy services offered include individual and group sessions. An official website of the United States government. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Thats why there has to be an entire paradigm shift.The average girls who enters this is about 13.. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. It is going take the men taking control to reverse this. Phone: 215-832-0900. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. 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 Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. All Rights Reserved. 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. According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Smith operated a prostitution business in Philadelphia between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011. 215-861-8300. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA The indictment alleges that Felts ran a prostitution ring that recruited and enticed young females, including minors, 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. To view a comprehensive listing of agencies across the Greater Philadelphia region servicing trafficking youth, please see the Social Services Directory. Kevin Smith allegedly did just that to three young women and a child. The 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. 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. An indictment is an accusation. 6:45 PM EDT, Sat March 20, 2021. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 2. Finally, what is the paradigm shift that must occur in society to finally obliterate human trafficking? 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. WebPhiladelphia Division. 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. We ask anyone with knowledge of child or adult sex trafficking to let us know about it, so we can help. New Day consists of community case managers in Philadelphia and Montgomery County, the New Day Drop In Center on Kensington Ave., a Police Assisted Diversion Program, and New Day New Home, our transitional home for female identifying survivors ages 18+ located at a confidential address in Montgomery County. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. Eight Croatian nationals charged with attempting to traffic children, outside the magistrates court in Ndola, Zambia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. 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. 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. The children involved are considered some of the most at-risk and challenging cases in the Philadelphia area, the marshals service said, based on high-risk factors including child sex trafficking and exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions. 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. 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