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. He recruited young women, including a minor (Minor 1), to work as prostitutes. FOX 29 Philadelphia. PCA conducts forensic interviews and offers therapeutic services specializing in understanding the needs and experiences of trafficking survivors. At least 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. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. 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. 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. Blue Campaigns educational awareness objectives consists of two foundational elements, prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons. 215-861-8300. Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. 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. WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. 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. 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. 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 Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Commercial Sexual Exploitation Institute Fax: 215-733-0876. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. He even transported them to other cities and states, determined to keep the money coming in at their expense. Smith was charged locally and was later charged in a federal indictment. Based on the results of that assessment, PCA will secure services for the child. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A locked padlock Its not just that women have lowered their standards, but that men are the one who see women as lower, too.. 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. WebCSEC or Child Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking affects children, too. 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. WebThey 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 is beginning a series about human trafficking. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street You can also TEXT HELP to BeFree (233733). 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 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 Men Charged with Child Sex Trafficking. Many girls and women, boys and men are forced or coerced into this lifestyle. Yet without those who purchase the services of modern day slaves, like any market, it would dry up. 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. Three Philadelphia men were charged, by a federal grand jury, in an indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. 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 United States Attorney William M. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Address: 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124 Lock He said this is the time to shine the light on both the consequences and root causes of human trafficking. Main Office: 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. A Warner Bros. 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 New Day is a multi-faceted program designed to serve survivors of commercial sexual exploitation as well as sex and labor trafficking. It is going take the men taking control to reverse this. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. appreciated. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Media Contact They are not just the drug user, the wayward runaway teen, or the troubled foster child. you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: CHILD USA, 3508 MARKET STREET, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Earlier this month outgoing President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. Yet it is clear that this and other types of trafficking are not just limited to certain times of the year. An indictment is an accusation. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Did you encounter any technical issues? Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Sex Trafficking Children in Northeast Philadelphia. Main Office: 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? Main Office: So far the WebCHILD SEX ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING CHILD USA works to create a safer world for children by reforming the statutes of limitation for child sex abuse, working to end child marriage, and the abuse and neglect of athletes. They provide direct care to juvenile victims of trafficking experiencing homelessness. Lock This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Lock A locked padlock WebPhiladelphia Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Child. WebHuman Trafficking Task Forces are a coalition of victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, community members, courts and other parties working to combat human EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Leah Fletcher, Account Executive. We will continue to work collectively with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these destructive crimes against vulnerable children.. WebAdding a category of perpetrator to include: an individual 18 years of age or older who engages a child in severe forms of trafficking in persons or sex trafficking, as those terms are defined under section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. During this time, Kendall also allegedly used his cell phone to record one of the minors performing oral sex on him and then sent the video to the minor victim. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. Dawns Place offers a year-long residential program to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. Our resolve remains steadfast in finding other children in peril.. It has hosted many programs to raise local awareness, like the A Day in the Life hosted by Shes My Sister ministry and provides safe havens for some of those rescued from local enslavement. 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. This series will assist local residents in being part of the network that can direct victims to safety and healing. Apple Tea Whats Cookin? WebThis program is designed to improve the juvenile justice and dependency systems' response to child abuse, neglect, commercial sexual exploitation, and sex trafficking of minors and related cases. Lock According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Smith operated a prostitution business in Philadelphia between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011. Media Contact Lock Main Office: Phone: 215-893-8400 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. On December 8, 2021, Jeremiah Eli Lowery pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 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. Covenant House is a youth shelter in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Phone: 215-951-5411 or 888-829-1249 In addition, they also have other housing programs available to youth who complete their shelter program. Https: // means youve safely connected to the.gov website charged locally and was later charged a! 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