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. 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. An official website of the United States government. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of lifetime imprisonment. 2. Main Office: The dates would take place at the home that Smith leased and the females gave 100 percent of their cash earnings to Smith. LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are also at Call the hotline if you are a victim or want to help someone you think is a victim: 1-888-373-7888. 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. We cannot use terms like child prostitution. 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 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. Ryan Keel, 39, was charged with conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. 215-861-8300. Tipsters can remain anonymous, if they like.. An official website of the United States government. Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. WebPhiladelphia Police are launching a special task force to battle the growing problem of Human Traffickers preying on children in Philadelphia, CBS has learned. Based on the results of that assessment, PCA will secure services for the child. The 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 that are overrepresented and underserved. Smith lived with several of the females who were working for him. Its a hard statistic, but 1 in 6 children reported missing in the U.S. are likely victims of child sex trafficking, one of A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Main Office: The seal of the F.B.I. Apple Tea Whats Cookin? 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. 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. Hebrew International Aid Society Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Media Contact 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. 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. These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Tinicum Township Police Department and the Philadelphia Police Department, and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erica Kivitz. 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. Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. A subsequent forensic examination of Smiths laptop computer revealed two sexually explicit images of Minor 1, both of which were taken prior to her 18th birthday. An official website of the United States government. At least four of the recovered children were connected to child sex trafficking, the marshals service said on Thursday. For more information please call the New Day Hotline at 267-838-5866. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Three Philadelphia men were charged, by a federal grand jury, in an indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of A lock ( Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 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. 3. Eastern District of Pennsylvania President Obama said there is a need to do more to fight against the exploitation of human beings for profit. 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. WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) 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. The Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova University partners with organizations united against sex trafficking and CSE. Finally, what is the paradigm shift that must occur in society to finally obliterate human trafficking? 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Dawns Place 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. 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 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Consequently, in order to rescue human trafficking victims, one must know how to identify them, the warning signs, and how to help them. It is going take the men taking control to reverse this. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 Official websites use .gov 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. 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. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. 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. Tweet Share Pin Email Tweet Share Pin Email Related Posts AACP Philadelphia Branch Update NAACP Philadelphia Branch Tweet Share Pin Email ABOVE PHOTO: President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St. Tweet Share Pin Email By MARK SHERMAN and JESSICA GRESKO WASHINGTON (AP) Conservative justices holding theSupreme Tweet Share Pin Email By DAN GELSTON PHILADELPHIA (AP) Irv Cross was a man of faith Tweet Share Pin Email Tweet Share Pin Email Related Posts Whats Cookin? It will also educate parents and family members to notice the warning signs of children and adolescents who may be involved in the life, as many call it. 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, EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA 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. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that John Adams, 41, Mercedes Hampton-Devero, 28, Malachai Kendall, 20, and Chukuw Ossai, An official website of the United States government. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. He also reiterated that the United States, including cities like Philadelphia, must continue this as part of the fight for human rights. He even transported them to other cities and states, determined to keep the money coming in at their expense. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A lock ( Email. Call 1-800-CALL-FBI or go online to tips.fbi.gov. More are involved than we realize.. WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. 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. 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 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. HIAS PA provides free legal and immigration services to survivors of trafficking. They 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 street. Philadelphia Children's Alliance. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Official websites use .gov He recruited young women, including a minor (Minor 1), to work as prostitutes. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 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. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Solow of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case. 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. Anyone who is a victim of child sex trafficking or has A locked padlock According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Smith operated a prostitution business in Philadelphia between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011. 33 missing children found in anti-human trafficking operation in Southern California. Lock They are not just the drug user, the wayward runaway teen, or the troubled foster child. 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 Folks in need of WOAR services do not require insurance. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. Yet without those who purchase the services of modern day slaves, like any market, it would dry up. PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for Community Engagement, Philadelphia Man Charged With Forcible Sex Trafficking of Multiple Victims Including a Minor, 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. WebPhiladelphia Division. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 To view a comprehensive listing of agencies across the Greater Philadelphia region servicing trafficking youth, please see the Social Services Directory. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Online Tip Reporting. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Babb Wilmoth. When DHS or police identify a child that exhibits red flags, they send that child to PCA for a full assessment. They provide direct care to juvenile victims of trafficking experiencing homelessness. Phone: 215-893-8400 Free counseling and trauma therapy services offered include individual and group sessions. 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 Salvation Armys New Day to Stop Trafficking Program WebHuman Trafficking Task Forces are a coalition of victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, community members, courts and other parties working to combat human This is about helping raise awareness to eradicate human trafficking, Waller said. Smith was charged locally and was later charged in a federal indictment. 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. Nationalities Service Center All Rights Reserved. Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize theindicatorsof human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. WebVictims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Fax: 215-733-0876. Smith also had sexual relations with the females who worked for him. Enoch Smith, 36, a/k/a Drees, a/k/a Idris, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted today of all charges including sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography. PHILADELPHIA United States Attorney William M. Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. Did you encounter any technical issues? Media Contact Email The church has a ministry that addresses trafficking in the Philadelphia area. We, as a society, have to begin facing up to it. We know of 22 locations in the state where this is taking place. 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. Dawns Place offers a year-long residential program to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. An official website of the United States government. If you, a family member or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking (sex or labor), or you suspect that human trafficking is taking place, resources are available: National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) 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. To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. Media Contact 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. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA The New Day Hotline is also available for 24/7 support to survivors and technical assistance to other professionals. 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