Items written by Samantha Newman
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Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 23 Years for Sex Trafficking Operation
Date: August 23, 2024
On July 31, Kevin L. Smith, 29, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 23 years of incarceration after he pleaded guilty to charges relating to his operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and the surrounding region. This case was … Read more about Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 23 Years for Sex Trafficking Operation »
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Central PA Journalist Pleads Guilty to Federal Enticement of a Minor Charge
Date: August 23, 2024
On August 6, former State College journalist and youth soccer coach Christopher Morelli, 54, of Spring Twp., pleaded guilty to a federal charge of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution. Morelli is accused of engaging in this … Read more about Central PA Journalist Pleads Guilty to Federal Enticement of a Minor Charge »
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Nazareth Emergency Management Official and Volunteer Firefighter Arrested in Sex Trafficking Investigation
Date: August 21, 2024
On July 22, 2024, Mark A. Morella Jr., 38, of Nazareth, was arrested in connection to a local and federal sex trafficking sting. Morella is charged with criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than … Read more about Nazareth Emergency Management Official and Volunteer Firefighter Arrested in Sex Trafficking Investigation »
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“Not a victimless crime:” Dauphin County Targets the Demand for Sex Trafficking with Recent Convictions for Patronizing Prostitutes
Date: July 27, 2024
Over the past several months, Dauphin County and several cooperating agencies have made laudable efforts to proactively reduce sex trafficking in our Commonwealth by targeting the demand that fuels the industry: sex buyers. On June 25, Leonard Long, 39, of … Read more about “Not a victimless crime:” Dauphin County Targets the Demand for Sex Trafficking with Recent Convictions for Patronizing Prostitutes »
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Dauphin County Man Sentenced to Up to 30 Years for Attempting to Buy Sex from a Minor
Date: July 18, 2024
On July 1, Jeffrey Pettinato, 62, was sentenced to up to 30 years of incarceration for his attempt to arrange a sexual encounter with who he believed to be a 15-year-old girl in Dauphin County. Pettinato’s sentence was imposed following … Read more about Dauphin County Man Sentenced to Up to 30 Years for Attempting to Buy Sex from a Minor »
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Man Sentenced in First Blair County Human Trafficking Jury Trial
Date: July 11, 2024
On June 28, 2024, Donald Hetrick, 40, of Alexandria, PA, was sentenced to a total of 21 to 47 years of incarceration following his conviction at Blair County’s first human trafficking jury trial. Hetrick was sentenced to 10 to 20 … Read more about Man Sentenced in First Blair County Human Trafficking Jury Trial »
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Reading Police Arrest Three Women in “Prostitution Sting”
Date: July 11, 2024
On June 19, 2024, the Reading police arrested three women in an undercover “prostitution detail” in downtown Reading. The women’s ages range from 27 to 40, and all are from Berks County or a surrounding county. Each woman was separately … Read more about Reading Police Arrest Three Women in “Prostitution Sting” »
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Cumberland County Men Pleaded Guilty in Separate Sex Buying Incidents
Date: June 22, 2024
Earlier this month, two men pleaded guilty to charges related to separate sex buying/human trafficking incidents in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. On June 5, William Stum, 62, of Enola, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal attempt to patronize prostitutes. Two … Read more about Cumberland County Men Pleaded Guilty in Separate Sex Buying Incidents »
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Former Montgomery County Substitute Teacher Arrested for Child Sex Trafficking and Related Charges
Date: June 12, 2024
On June 1, the Springfield Township Police Department arrested Tyler Degiacomo of Oreland for his alleged role in the trafficking of minors and sexual abuse of children. Degiacomo, 33, was a former substitute teacher, a school volunteer, PIAA umpire, and … Read more about Former Montgomery County Substitute Teacher Arrested for Child Sex Trafficking and Related Charges »
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Where to Draw the Line: Strip Clubs and the Commercial Sex Trade
Date: May 17, 2024
Flashing lights and bright signage unapologetically detail the “adult entertainment” provided inside strip clubs. Services are offered in public spaces through table dances, or in isolated parts of the clubs through private dances- which generate more money. Some clubs even … Read more about Where to Draw the Line: Strip Clubs and the Commercial Sex Trade »