Items written by Samantha Newman

• New Jersey Officials Bust Alleged Human Trafficking Rings

  Date: January 22, 2025

  On December 3, New Jersey investigators announced the bust of two alleged human trafficking rings, one in North Jersey and one in South Jersey, along with the indictments of seven people. The two separate trafficking enterprises were located in Cumberland … Read more about New Jersey Officials Bust Alleged Human Trafficking Rings »

• Florida Man Arrested after Traveling to Pennsylvania to Purchase Sex from a Child

  Date: January 19, 2025

  On December 1, James Richards, 53, of Satellite Beach, Florida, was charged with attempted rape of a child, trafficking in persons, and other crimes after traveling to Pennsylvania over the Thanksgiving holiday to sexually abuse a child. Chester County police … Read more about Florida Man Arrested after Traveling to Pennsylvania to Purchase Sex from a Child »

• Two Charged with Sex Trafficking Child from Mississippi to Pennsylvania

  Date: January 8, 2025

  On December 4, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the arrests of Craig Coins, Jr., 30, and Aubreanna Odendahl, 26, both of Mississippi, after the pair allegedly transported a child from Mississippi to Tioga … Read more about Two Charged with Sex Trafficking Child from Mississippi to Pennsylvania »

• Maryland Man Accused of Paying a Minor for Sex and Sending Sexual Messages to Children in York County

  Date: January 8, 2025

  Last month, Brady Knatz, 26, from Hampstead, Maryland, was arrested and charged with multiple crimes stemming from allegations that he paid for sex with a teenage girl and sent another minor explicit content over Snapchat. As a result, Knatz was … Read more about Maryland Man Accused of Paying a Minor for Sex and Sending Sexual Messages to Children in York County »

• Cumberland County Human Trafficking Stings Result in Arrests of 22+ Sex Buyers

  Date: December 23, 2024

  On November 26, Cumberland County District Attorney Seán M. McCormack announced the arrests of 22 individuals following recent human trafficking stings across the county. The stings were conducted pursuant to Cumberland County’s OPERATION: Closed2Trafficking and Impact Demand. District Attorney McCormack … Read more about Cumberland County Human Trafficking Stings Result in Arrests of 22+ Sex Buyers »

• The Harrods Legacy: Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Mohamed al-Fayed

  Date: December 14, 2024

  A former Harrods employee alleges she was raped and trafficked while working for the late Harrods owner Mohamed al-Fayed. In November, she filed a petition to the Federal District Court in Connecticut to oblige al-Fayed’s surviving younger brother, Ali Fayed, … Read more about The Harrods Legacy: Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Mohamed al-Fayed »

• Logan Township Police Arrest Woman for Prostitution

  Date: November 20, 2024

  On November 7, Logan Township Police arrested and charged a 46-year-old woman with possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, and prostitution. According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers launched a narcotics and prostitution investigation … Read more about Logan Township Police Arrest Woman for Prostitution »

• 22-Year-Old Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

  Date: November 20, 2024

  This week, Ali M. McCoy was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a 16-year-old girl out of an apartment in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pursuant to a plea agreement, McCoy pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking … Read more about 22-Year-Old Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor »

• York County Man Sentenced to Prison after Human Trafficking Task Force Sting

  Date: November 17, 2024

  On October 29, Mark D. Anderson, 58, of York County, pleaded guilty to criminal attempt to patronize a victim of human trafficking and criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault. As a result, Anderson was sentenced to 2 ½ to … Read more about York County Man Sentenced to Prison after Human Trafficking Task Force Sting »

• 22 Arrested in Connection with Philadelphia-Based Human Trafficking Ring

  Date: November 12, 2024

  On October 22, PA Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrests of 22 individuals alleged to be connected to a human trafficking organization based out of the Lawndale section in Philadelphia. According to Attorney General Henry, the trafficking organization recruited … Read more about 22 Arrested in Connection with Philadelphia-Based Human Trafficking Ring »