Items written by Samantha Newman

• Student Blog Series: TikTok and the Growing Media Exploitation of Minors

  Date: February 28, 2024

  TikTok has emerged as one of the world’s most popular apps in the last few years and is currently used by over a billion people per month. Of its total users, roughly 68% are under the age of twenty-four, and … Read more about Student Blog Series: TikTok and the Growing Media Exploitation of Minors »

• Student Blog Series: Impact of Social Media on the Life Cycle of Sex Trafficking

  Date: February 26, 2024

  As technology progresses, social media becomes more integral to our daily lives, impacting the way we communicate with one another. We use it to talk with friends and family, to foster new relationships, and even to build business connections. It … Read more about Student Blog Series: Impact of Social Media on the Life Cycle of Sex Trafficking »

• Man and Woman Charged with Multiple Prostitution Offenses After Routine Traffic Stop in Lycoming County

  Date: February 25, 2024

  On January 29, 2024, a Williamsport man identified as  Jeremy Draper-Bell, 30, and a 33 year-old Lycoming County woman, were charged with multiple prostitution offenses. The police charged the woman promoting prostitution, conspiracy to promote prostitution, intentional possession of a … Read more about Man and Woman Charged with Multiple Prostitution Offenses After Routine Traffic Stop in Lycoming County »

• Four Trafficking Victims Urge the Third Circuit to Reverse Pennsylvania Policy Which Relieves Hotel Insurers From Sex Trafficking Lawsuits

  Date: February 21, 2024

  Between 2017 and 2019, four women filed separate state court suits against the Roosevelt Inn in Philadelphia and the Days Inn where they were sex trafficked. The women alleged that the hotel ignored the clear signs of sex trafficking and … Read more about Four Trafficking Victims Urge the Third Circuit to Reverse Pennsylvania Policy Which Relieves Hotel Insurers From Sex Trafficking Lawsuits »

• Ohio Sting Leads to Arrest of Pennsylvania Man

  Date: February 14, 2024

  Adam Hileman, 43, of Brackenridge, Pennsylvania is facing multiple charges in Ohio and Pennsylvania after attempting to pay for sex with a 15-year-old girl and subsequently fleeing from law enforcement officers who were waiting to arrest him.  In Ohio, Hileman … Read more about Ohio Sting Leads to Arrest of Pennsylvania Man »

• Five Arrested in Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force Sting

  Date: February 13, 2024

  On January 29, 2024, five men were arrested after members of the Berks County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Task Force conducted an undercover operation to combat the illegal sex trade in Berks County. Detectives began their investigation by posting advertisements … Read more about Five Arrested in Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force Sting »

• Blair County Man Convicted of Child Trafficking and Sexual Assault

  Date: February 13, 2024

  On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Donald Hetrick was convicted of felony human trafficking, conspiracy to commit human trafficking, rape of an unconscious person, statutory sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a minor, and criminal use of a communication facility for his … Read more about Blair County Man Convicted of Child Trafficking and Sexual Assault »

• UPDATE: Family Counselor Facing Various Sex Trafficking Charges and Sexual Abuse of Minors Charges

  Date: February 13, 2024

  On January 30, 2024, Latrobe-area family counselor Gregory Miscik, pled guilty to thirteen charges of various sex crimes committed against several of his teenage clients dating back to 2007 . He had been charged with multiple felony counts of  sexual assault, … Read more about UPDATE: Family Counselor Facing Various Sex Trafficking Charges and Sexual Abuse of Minors Charges »

• UPDATE: High School Teacher Arrested for Child Sex Trafficking

  Date: February 12, 2024

  Earlier this month, former high school teacher and volunteer football coach Michael Feifel, now 56, pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful contact with a minor- prostitution and criminal use of a communication facility. According to Lehigh County Assistant … Read more about UPDATE: High School Teacher Arrested for Child Sex Trafficking »

• Four Charged in Cumberland County Human Trafficking Investigation

  Date: February 11, 2024

  Four individuals have been charged after a Cumberland County human trafficking investigation. The Camp Hill Police Department charged Raynard Lamar Spence, 31, of Hallandale Beach, Florida with Involuntary Servitude, Trafficking in Individuals – Recruit/entice/solicit/etc., and Trafficking in Individuals – Financial … Read more about Four Charged in Cumberland County Human Trafficking Investigation »