After a few days they are trafficking them. Phone: 215-832-0900. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Updated This is about helping raise awareness to eradicate human trafficking, Waller said. The Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova University partners with organizations united against sex trafficking and CSE. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL Eastern District of Pennsylvania He even transported them to other cities and states, determined to keep the money coming in at their expense. He said this is the time to shine the light on both the consequences and root causes of human trafficking. So, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun is beginning a series about human trafficking. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Media Contact To view a comprehensive listing of agencies across the Greater Philadelphia region servicing trafficking youth, please see the Social Services Directory. Deputy US marshals assigned to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force led the operation along with personnel from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, Bucks County Children Youth Services, the Philadelphia Police Departments Human Trafficking Unit, and the FBI. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Apr 1, 2016 Local 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. 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. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 He recruited young women, including a minor (Minor 1), to work as prostitutes. I am gratified that the defendants are all now off the streets and in custody pending trial on these charges, said U.S. Attorney McSwain. 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. Rich Walls of North Philadelphia learned much from an all-male workshop held at Enon last year. 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. 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. The crimes Smith is accused of committing are some of the most devastating to victims that our office prosecutes, said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. A locked padlock For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 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. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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 Media Contact Phone: 215-951-5411 or 888-829-1249 Justice At Work assists with recovering unpaid wages, obtaining lawful immigration status for individuals and their families, and connecting communities with resources that provide services victims of trafficking. 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. A lock ( 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 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, Finally, what is the paradigm shift that must occur in society to finally obliterate human trafficking? A lock ( You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth and you never know Have a question about Government Services? Those who so victimize vulnerable kids do untold physical and emotional harm. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. The Salvation Armys New Day to Stop Trafficking Program Yet many are not aware of it despite the fact more and more are becoming victims of human trafficking. 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. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. For more information please call the New Day Hotline at 267-838-5866. 3. 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. ) 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Sex Trafficking Children in Northeast Philadelphia. A locked padlock Allegedly, this defendant forced four young people, one a minor child, to sell their bodies for his financial gain. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. 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. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Philadelphia Police Department Vice Unit, with assistance from the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office and the Bucks County District Attorneys Office. Lock Apple Tea Whats Cookin? Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street Main Office: WebCSEC or Child Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking affects children, too. 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. The minor was rescued from Ossais vehicle after he was pulled over in Tinicum Township. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by Our resolve remains steadfast in finding other children in peril.. 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. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA 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 They educate and provide technical assistance to legislators, policy decision makers, and other stakeholders in order to improve legal responses to CSE. 215-861-8300. A locked padlock A locked padlock 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. WebTuesday, August 11, 2020. FOX 29 Philadelphia. 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. Consequently, in order to rescue human trafficking victims, one must know how to identify them, the warning signs, and how to help them. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] Justice At Work specializes in providing free legal representation to victims of labor trafficking as well as other communities of workers. WebPhiladelphia Police are launching a special task force to battle the growing problem of Human Traffickers preying on children in Philadelphia, CBS has learned. An official website of the United States government. PCA conducts forensic interviews and offers therapeutic services specializing in understanding the needs and experiences of trafficking survivors. 6:45 PM EDT, Sat March 20, 2021. 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. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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 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. Thats why there has to be an entire paradigm shift.The average girls who enters this is about 13.. 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. 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