Blue Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Philadelphia Children's Alliance. At least four of the recovered children were connected to child sex trafficking, the marshals service said on Thursday. He admitted that he had to examine himself as to whether he lusted after young women young enough to be his daughter. PCA also conducts comprehensive assessments for children who are at risk or prevent red flags of being commercially sexually exploited. Their legal aide also includes guidance for survivors interacting with law enforcement, assistance with obtaining legal status, and other referrals to immigrant social services. This means the demand for this is modern-day enslavement continues. 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). Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Sex Trafficking Children in Northeast Philadelphia. A locked padlock Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street Email Main Office: He said this is the time to shine the light on both the consequences and root causes of human trafficking. 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124, 2023 All rights reserved. PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. 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. 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. 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. WebPhiladelphia Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Child. Hebrew International Aid Society Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. 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. Eight Croatian nationals charged with attempting to traffic children, outside the magistrates court in Ndola, Zambia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. WebPhiladelphia Division. Address: 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124 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. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by Thats why there has to be an entire paradigm shift.The average girls who enters this is about 13.. A lock ( Main Office: 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 Lock 215-861-8300. 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 Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova University partners with organizations united against sex trafficking and CSE. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Media Contact 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. 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. WebYoung women and girls are the most at-risk of trafficking, although boys are also trafficked and are less likely to ask for help. appreciated. An official website of the United States government. WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. Eastern District of Pennsylvania The FBIs Philadelphia Field Division is investigating the case and received significant assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. Media Contact We know of 22 locations in the state where this is taking place. WebAn FBI operation focused on combatting child sex trafficking around the world resulted in the arrests of 15 suspected pimps and associates in the Philadelphia region, authorities Smith also had sexual relations with the females who worked for him. Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. To view information on the trainings our Coalition offers, please see the Training Catalogue. 2023 Cable News Network. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 3. Official websites use .gov Children cannot sell sex even in places where prostitution is legal. 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. Our resolve remains steadfast in finding other children in peril.. Eastern District of Pennsylvania 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. An official website of the United States government. We, as a society, have to begin facing up to it. On December 8, 2021, Jeremiah Eli Lowery pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 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. 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. 215-861-8300. Lock PCA works in tandem with DHS to connect survivors with the appropriate services. We cannot use terms like child prostitution. 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. 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. Call 1-800-CALL-FBI or go online to tips.fbi.gov. Yet without those who purchase the services of modern day slaves, like any market, it would dry up. NSC also assists individuals with obtaining long term immigration status, supporting survivors when working with law enforcement and assessing for other legal needs. 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. They pay their airfare, hotel room and everything else. A lock ( 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Common examples of identified child trafficking cases include: Commercial sex Stripping Pornography Forced begging Magazine crews Au pairs or nannies Restaurant work Hair and nail salons Agricultural work Drug sales and cultivation Dawns Place offers a year-long residential program to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. They may be lured thinking that someone is helping them find a job. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 Discovery Company. Phone: 215-893-8400 Lock A lock ( He even transported them to other cities and states, determined to keep the money coming in at their expense. 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. 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. 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. The charges against the defendant stem from his operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding regionincluding Bucks and Delaware counties. Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 Commercial Sexual Exploitation Institute EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA 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. Tipsters can remain anonymous, if they like.. Eastern District of Pennsylvania 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. Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] 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. Online Tip Reporting. 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. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. 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