Children cannot sell sex even in places where prostitution is legal. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. Media Contact A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A lock ( U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, The defendants allegedly advertised the minors online and harbored them in area hotels and properties, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Engagement, Four Philadelphians Charged With Sex Trafficking of Minors, 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. 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 Blue Campaigns educational awareness objectives consists of two foundational elements, prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL 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. In addition, they also have other housing programs available to youth who complete their shelter program. The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Smith was charged locally and was later charged in a federal indictment. Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 hangs in the Flag Room at the bureau's headquarters in Washington. 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. 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. Free counseling and trauma therapy services offered include individual and group sessions. 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. 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. Yet without those who purchase the services of modern day slaves, like any market, it would dry up. Phone: 215-387-9500. 3. 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. An official website of the United States government. This is about helping raise awareness to eradicate human trafficking, Waller said. Address: 600 Chestnut St., Suite 500B Philadelphia, PA 19106 This series will assist local residents in being part of the network that can direct victims to safety and healing. 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. Working alongside the international community, we have seen significant increases in trafficking prosecution and conviction, and we have made great strides in supporting victims.. This means the demand for this is modern-day enslavement continues. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Address: 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 300,Philadelphia, PA 19123 In a separate Indictment, Ossai is charged with the sex trafficking of a minor in late January 2020. 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. 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. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. An official website of the United States government. 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. Kelly Sagastume, Program Manager, Project PROTECT, ksagastume@sccalaw.org, Dana Bernhaut, Child Policy Associate, dbernhaut@sccalaw.org. 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. Consequently, in order to rescue human trafficking victims, one must know how to identify them, the warning signs, and how to help them. PCA works in tandem with DHS to connect survivors with the appropriate services. In addition, PCA works closely with DHS to provide comprehensive assessments of children referred to DHS who are screened for concerns of being exploited. 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. 215-861-8300. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Those who so victimize vulnerable kids do untold physical and emotional harm. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Lock 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. Blue Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security 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. 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. 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 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. Smith lived with several of the females who were working for him. 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. 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. Media Contact He said this is the time to shine the light on both the consequences and root causes of human trafficking. WebTuesday, August 11, 2020. At least Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The New Day Hotline is also available for 24/7 support to survivors and technical assistance to other professionals. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. The dates would take place at the home that Smith leased and the females gave 100 percent of their cash earnings to Smith. Commercial Sexual Exploitation Institute Eastern District of Pennsylvania 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. He also reiterated that the United States, including cities like Philadelphia, must continue this as part of the fight for human rights. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Rich Walls of North Philadelphia learned much from an all-male workshop held at Enon last year. They provide direct care to juvenile victims of trafficking experiencing homelessness. Have a question about Government Services? For more information please call the New Day Hotline at 267-838-5866. Finally, what is the paradigm shift that must occur in society to finally obliterate human trafficking? FOX 29 Philadelphia. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 The fraud is they are selling love, said Hugh Organ, associate director of the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition. 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. Covenant House is a youth shelter in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 WebVictims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female. 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. WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) Anyone who is a victim of child sex trafficking or has WebYoung women and girls are the most at-risk of trafficking, although boys are also trafficked and are less likely to ask for help. Official websites use .gov 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. 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. 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. 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. 215-861-8300. So far the Its a hard statistic, but 1 in 6 children reported missing in the U.S. are likely victims of child sex trafficking, one of 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. The charges against the defendant stem from his operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding regionincluding Bucks and Delaware counties. 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. A lock ( CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Engagement, Philadelphia Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Child, Eastern District of Pennsylvanias U.S. Attorneys Office Hosts Presentation on Autism-Based Discrimination in Schools, Camps, and Childcare Facilities, One Leader of a Violent Sex Trafficking Gang Sentenced to Life and a Consecutive Ten Years Imprisonment, and a Gang Associate Sentenced to 37 years Imprisonment, Chester County Doctor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Operating Pill Mill Out of Main Line Pain Clinic. 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