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. 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. Address: Nationalities Service Center 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-861-8300. 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. It may cause some to realize what some in their own circle have been hiding from them, often suffering in silence or shame. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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 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. 300 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124, 2023 All rights reserved. Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. 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. 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. He admitted that he had to examine himself as to whether he lusted after young women young enough to be his daughter. The FBIs Philadelphia Field Division is investigating the case and received significant assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. Address: 600 Chestnut St., Suite 500B Philadelphia, PA 19106 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. Dubbed Operation Safeguard, the initiative began on February 15 when a US Marshals Service task force took over 26 missing children cases at the request of other law enforcement agencies. Also according to court documents, Adams and Kendall each coerced the minors into having sex with them on multiple occasions, and Hampton-Devero instructed one of the minor victims to record commercial sex acts on her cell phone for Devero to post online to attract more sex buyers. They may be lured thinking that someone is helping them find a job. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years. According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Smith operated a prostitution business in Philadelphia between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011. Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:(215) 861-8200 Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street Secure .gov websites use HTTPS LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are also at 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. 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. 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. Main Office: 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. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Main Office: WebVictims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female. A lock ( Email. 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. To view tips on identifying sex and labor trafficking red flags, please see the Red Flags Infographic. Three Philadelphia men were charged, by a federal grand jury, in an indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of 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. Many who engage in the paid sex during Super Bowl season are not the typical prostitute street walker. Covenant House PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. Smith lived with several of the females who were working for him. 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 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. Smith also had sexual relations with the females who worked for him. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Yet many are not aware of it despite the fact more and more are becoming victims of human trafficking. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Enslavement of African Americans is rising in the City of Brotherly Love and Sister Affection. hangs in the Flag Room at the bureau's headquarters in Washington. Fax Line:(215) 861-8618. Anyone who is a victim of child sex trafficking or has EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. He recruited young women, including a minor (Minor 1), to work as prostitutes. 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. Media Contact Address: 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 300,Philadelphia, PA 19123 They provide direct care to juvenile victims of trafficking experiencing homelessness. Discovery Company. 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. PCA also conducts comprehensive assessments for children who are at risk or prevent red flags of being commercially sexually exploited. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. Its even more difficult to ascertain who are being forced or coerced into the trade. Allegedly, this defendant forced four young people, one a minor child, to sell their bodies for his financial gain. 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250 WebThe Project PROTECT (Philadelphia Response & Outreach To End Child Trafficking) will support the continued advancement of Philadelphias juvenile human trafficking court, 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. 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. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Official websites use .gov The New Day Hotline is also available for 24/7 support to survivors and technical assistance to other professionals. During the week-long trial, the government proved that the defendant organized, operated and led a sex trafficking venture based in and around Northeast Philadelphia between 2013 and 2015, and in 2018. Updated He also reiterated that the United States, including cities like Philadelphia, must continue this as part of the fight for human rights. After the workshop he, like the other men present, needed to change how they looked at girls and women as sex objects first and as their spiritual sister secondarily. 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. Phone: 215-893-8400 PCA works in tandem with DHS to connect survivors with the appropriate services. A lock ( Because this is the start of the prime season for human trafficking. 215-861-8300. 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. Philadelphia, PA 19106, JENNIFER CRANDALL The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. 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. When DHS or police identify a child that exhibits red flags, they send that child to PCA for a full assessment. WebPhiladelphia Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Child. 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. Folks in need of WOAR services do not require insurance. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The church has a ministry that addresses trafficking in the Philadelphia area. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. Children cannot sell sex even in places where prostitution is legal. 3. 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. 6:45 PM EDT, Sat March 20, 2021. This is about helping raise awareness to eradicate human trafficking, Waller said. 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. Official websites use .gov A lock ( 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 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. An official website of the United States government. Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline:215-985-3333. The fraud is they are selling love, said Hugh Organ, associate director of the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition. 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