WebCSEC or Child Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking affects children, too. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Earlier this month outgoing President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 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 Phone: 215-387-9500. An official website of the United States government. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 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. 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. Why? 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Yet without those who purchase the services of modern day slaves, like any market, it would dry up. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS An official website of the United States government. Media Contact Updated 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. 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. Fax: 215-733-0876. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 They pay their airfare, hotel room and everything else. 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. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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. New Day is a multi-faceted program designed to serve survivors of commercial sexual exploitation as well as sex and labor trafficking. Trained Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates and supervisory staff provide assistance to victims in crisis through safety planning, emotional support and/or immediate connections to emergency services through our network of trained service provider and law enforcement partners. We will continue to work collectively with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these destructive crimes against vulnerable children.. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 31, 2013. To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. Main Office: 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. When you hear the testimony of those who have been victimized, men have to be honest. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Its even more difficult to ascertain who are being forced or coerced into the trade. Discovery Company. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. He also reiterated that the United States, including cities like Philadelphia, must continue this as part of the fight for human rights. Consequently, in order to rescue human trafficking victims, one must know how to identify them, the warning signs, and how to help them. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. 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. Smith gave each of his recruits a cellular telephone, which he paid for, and then included that phone number in the Backpage advertisement. WebHuman Trafficking | Philadelphia | Battle4Children Charities You're not a victim for sharing your story. Have a question about Government Services? Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. The charges against the defendant stem from his operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding regionincluding Bucks and Delaware counties. Philadelphia Children's Alliance. 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. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. A lock ( It is going take the men taking control to reverse this. The fraud is they are selling love, said Hugh Organ, associate director of the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition. He even transported them to other cities and states, determined to keep the money coming in at their expense. Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. The Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova University partners with organizations united against sex trafficking and CSE. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124, 2023 All rights reserved. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL WebTuesday, August 11, 2020. The New Day Hotline is also available for 24/7 support to survivors and technical assistance to other professionals. Official websites use .gov 215-861-8300. The Indictment alleges that for about seven days at the end of September 2019, Smith knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, maintained a minor for the purposes of forcing that minor to engage in commercial sex acts in Philadelphia. 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. Justice At Work PHILADELPHIA United States Attorney William M. 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. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A lock ( 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. 2. The Salvation Armys New Day to Stop Trafficking Program 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. Kelly Sagastume, Program Manager, Project PROTECT, ksagastume@sccalaw.org, Dana Bernhaut, Child Policy Associate, dbernhaut@sccalaw.org. The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. 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. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. We know of 22 locations in the state where this is taking place. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. The FBI will never stop working to find and help trafficked victims, to protect them from further abuse and keep their traffickers from hurting anyone else.. appreciated. 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? Allegedly, this defendant forced four young people, one a minor child, to sell their bodies for his financial gain. They may be lured thinking that someone is helping them find a job. Eight Croatian nationals charged with attempting to traffic children, outside the magistrates court in Ndola, Zambia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Eastern District of Pennsylvania A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Indictment alleges that Felts ran a prostitution ring that recruited and enticed young girls, including one who was only fifteen years old, 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 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. Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street The 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. 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 We get calls from as far away as Pittsburgh where girls have been taken. A locked padlock Those who so victimize vulnerable kids do untold physical and emotional harm. Lock PCA works in tandem with DHS to connect survivors with the appropriate services. 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. 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. Eastern District of Pennsylvania A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. WebVictims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female. Based on the results of that assessment, PCA will secure services for the child. They educate and provide technical assistance to legislators, policy decision makers, and other stakeholders in order to improve legal responses to CSE. Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and human trafficking can be children or,... 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