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 Yet it is clear that this and other types of trafficking are not just limited to certain times of the year. 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. 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. WebThe Project PROTECT (Philadelphia Response & Outreach To End Child Trafficking) will support the continued advancement of Philadelphias juvenile human trafficking court, Dawns Place Those who so victimize vulnerable kids do untold physical and emotional harm. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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. An indictment is an accusation. Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Sex Trafficking Children in Northeast Philadelphia. We ask anyone with knowledge of child or adult sex trafficking to let us know about it, so we can help. New Day is a multi-faceted program designed to serve survivors of commercial sexual exploitation as well as sex and labor trafficking. Smith was charged locally and was later charged in a federal indictment. He also reiterated that the United States, including cities like Philadelphia, must continue this as part of the fight for human rights. Eastern District of Pennsylvania 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. Official websites use .gov Lock 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. 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. In September 2019, Horne was convicted at trial of three counts of sex trafficking minors by force, fraud or coercion. President Obama said there is a need to do more to fight against the exploitation of human beings for profit. 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. Many of these at-risk youths are referred for services with PCAs CSEC therapist, who is specially trained in this area. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS This means the demand for this is modern-day enslavement continues. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Metcalf and Brittany Jones. Email. Why? Now that there is more transparency, we have to be more honest, Walls said. hangs in the Flag Room at the bureau's headquarters in Washington. Main Office: Hebrew International Aid Society It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan. An official website of the United States government. 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 We get calls from as far away as Pittsburgh where girls have been taken. According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Smith operated a prostitution business in Philadelphia between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011. Based on the results of that assessment, PCA will secure services for the child. A locked padlock Enoch Smith, 36, a/k/a Drees, a/k/a Idris, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted today of all charges including sex 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. For more information please call the New Day Hotline at 267-838-5866. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. 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. Working alongside the international community, we have seen significant increases in trafficking prosecution and conviction, and we have made great strides in supporting victims.. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE 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. 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. 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. Blue Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Phone: 215-733-0878 2. 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. Prior to joining the FBI, I was employed as an Immigration human trafficking, violent crimes against children, and other federal violations. 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. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara Solow and Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Department of Justice Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). A locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE The minor was rescued from Ossais vehicle after he was pulled over in Tinicum Township. 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. 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. Have a question about Government Services? WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that John Adams, 41, Mercedes Hampton-Devero, 28, Malachai Kendall, 20, and Chukuw Ossai, Leah Fletcher, Account Executive. 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. Online Tip Reporting. 2023 Cable News Network. 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.. Philadelphia Children's Alliance. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Lock Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. 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. 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. 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. This is about helping raise awareness to eradicate human trafficking, Waller said. An official website of the United States government. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. A lock ( 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. FOX 29 Philadelphia. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Further, Keel and Felts allegedly had explicit discussions via Facebook Messenger about the commercial sex acts occurring at the residences. So, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking. Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. 215-861-8300. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Have a question about Government Services? 215-861-8300. Yet many are not aware of it despite the fact more and more are becoming victims of human trafficking. To view a comprehensive listing of agencies across the Greater Philadelphia region servicing trafficking youth, please see the Social Services Directory. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA HIAS PA provides free legal and immigration services to survivors of trafficking. Email ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Eastern District of Pennsylvania It is going take the men taking control to reverse this. Justice At Work specializes in providing free legal representation to victims of labor trafficking as well as other communities of workers. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. An official website of the United States government. 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. 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. Ryan Keel, 39, was charged with conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. 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. A multi-faceted program designed to serve survivors of commercial sexual exploitation as well as other communities of.. Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking, violent against. 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