When DHS or police identify a child that exhibits red flags, they send that child to PCA for a full assessment. More are involved than we realize.. Yet many are not aware of it despite the fact more and more are becoming victims of human trafficking. Smith also had sexual relations with the females who worked for him. The fraud is they are selling love, said Hugh Organ, associate director of the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition. 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. Have a question about Government Services? Have a question about Government Services? 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. The Philadelphia Sunday SUN - P.O. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Official websites use .gov This series will assist local residents in being part of the network that can direct victims to safety and healing. 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. 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. As a city Philadelphia has major conventions and athletic events as well as many entertainment strips. WOARs Sex Trafficking Advocacy and Response Team also assists with crisis support, sex trafficking assessment, prevention/education, and advocacy. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Metcalf and Brittany Jones. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. The seal of the F.B.I. A locked padlock 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. 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. Justice At Work specializes in providing free legal representation to victims of labor trafficking as well as other communities of workers. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Eastern District of Pennsylvania To view a comprehensive listing of agencies across the Greater Philadelphia region servicing trafficking youth, please see the Social Services Directory. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. A lock ( Box 18869, Philadelphia, PA 19119 - Phone (215) 848-7864 - Fax (215) 848-7893 We cannot use terms like child prostitution. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA 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. 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. The crimes alleged in these Indictments will have a devastating and long-lasting impact on these minor victims, said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. WebPhiladelphia Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Child. 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. Have a question about Government Services? For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Nationalities Service Center When you hear the testimony of those who have been victimized, men have to be honest. Smith gave each of his recruits a cellular telephone, which he paid for, and then included that phone number in the Backpage advertisement. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. He admitted that he had to examine himself as to whether he lusted after young women young enough to be his daughter. WebPHILADELPHIA Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Kevin Smith, 27, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with sex trafficking by A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 215-861-8300. Lock They pay their airfare, hotel room and everything else. 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. 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. Blue Campaigns educational awareness objectives consists of two foundational elements, prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons. Have a question about Government Services? hangs in the Flag Room at the bureau's headquarters in Washington. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 New Day is a multi-faceted program designed to serve survivors of commercial sexual exploitation as well as sex and labor trafficking. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE 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. UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Have a question about Government Services? 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. The toll-free hotline is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year in more than 200 languages. 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. Updated President Obama said there is a need to do more to fight against the exploitation of human beings for profit. This ongoing series will address this and more. 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 He also reiterated that the United States, including cities like Philadelphia, must continue this as part of the fight for human rights. You can also TEXT HELP to BeFree (233733). An official website of the United States government. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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 Children cannot sell sex even in places where prostitution is legal. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 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. 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. Those who so victimize vulnerable kids do untold physical and emotional harm. He said this is the time to shine the light on both the consequences and root causes of human trafficking. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA So far the 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. They may be lured thinking that someone is helping them find a job. Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] Its a hard statistic, but 1 in 6 children reported missing in the U.S. are likely victims of child sex trafficking, one of EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA On December 8, 2021, Jeremiah Eli Lowery pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A lock ( The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. 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 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124, 2023 All rights reserved. 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. Kevin Smith allegedly did just that to three young women and a child. The FBIs Philadelphia Field Division is investigating the case and received significant assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. 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. 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. 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 charges against the defendant stem from his operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding regionincluding Bucks and Delaware counties. Readers will enter into an uncomfortable world that will challenge their sensibilities, sense of safety, and stereotypical notions about the topic. FOX 29 Philadelphia. 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. The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. 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. After a few days they are trafficking them. Covenant House is a youth shelter in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. WebPhiladelphia Division. 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. Ryan Keel, 39, was charged with conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. Dawns Place The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Babb Wilmoth. EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA NSC also assists individuals with obtaining long term immigration status, supporting survivors when working with law enforcement and assessing for other legal needs. 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 Its not just that women have lowered their standards, but that men are the one who see women as lower, too.. PCA also conducts comprehensive assessments for children who are at risk or prevent red flags of being commercially sexually exploited. 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 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. Discovery Company. PCA conducts forensic interviews and offers therapeutic services specializing in understanding the needs and experiences of trafficking survivors. 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. Address: Nationalities Service Center 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 Smith faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment on Count One, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment on Count Two, a $500,000 fine, a lifetime period of supervised release and a $200 special assessment. 3. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. At least four of the recovered children were connected to child sex trafficking, the marshals service said on Thursday. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 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. Address: 31 E. Armat Street Philadelphia PA 19144. 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