Items written by Shea Rhodes

• Man Arrested for Promoting Prostitution in Upper Merion 

  Date: October 25, 2023

  On September 7, officers of the Upper Merion Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit arrested two individuals. One woman was taken into custody for investigation of an outstanding warrant and Rushane Davis-Morgan was arrested for promoting prostitution. The investigation began while … Read more about Man Arrested for Promoting Prostitution in Upper Merion  »

• Fifteen Arrested in Cumberland County Human Trafficking Sting

  Date: October 25, 2023

  On October 4, 2023, fifteen men were arrested as part of Cumberland County’s OPERATION: Closed2Trafficking. This operation targets hotels and commercial establishments posing as massage parlors. The fifteen men arrested at the Hampden Township Hotel each sought “female escorts” and … Read more about Fifteen Arrested in Cumberland County Human Trafficking Sting »

• UPDATE: Injustice in the Pennsylvania Legal System

  Date: October 20, 2023

  On October 10, 2023, Corey Kolcharno, a Lackawanna County defense attorney and former assistant district attorney, pled guilty to four felony counts of promoting prostitution. Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that he will be sentenced on a later date following … Read more about UPDATE: Injustice in the Pennsylvania Legal System »

• Philadelphia Man Charged After Attempting to Solicit Sex from Agent Posing as Teen Girl

  Date: October 20, 2023

  On October 5, 2023, detectives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania arrested and charged Anthony Smith-Sturgis, 29, for attempting to sexually solicit a minor online.  Smith-Sturgis believed he was messaging a 14-year-old girl, but in reality, he was communicating with a detective … Read more about Philadelphia Man Charged After Attempting to Solicit Sex from Agent Posing as Teen Girl »

• Woman Arrested for Trafficking in Somerset County

  Date: October 10, 2023

  On September 20, 2023, the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office charged Brittany Blenker, 33, with one count of trafficking in individuals, patronizing victims of human trafficking, and manufacturing, delivering and possessing drugs. Blenker is also facing misdemeanor charges of corruption … Read more about Woman Arrested for Trafficking in Somerset County »

• Tennessee Man’s Charges Withdrawn in Erie County Prostitution Case

  Date: October 2, 2023

  On September 13, 2023, the Erie District Attorney’s office, withdrew criminal charges against Shavlis. S. Johnson, 27, for two counts of the following charges; Kidnapping to Facilitate A Felony, Trafficking in Individuals – Recruit/entice/solicit/etc., Trafficking in Individuals – Financial Benefit, … Read more about Tennessee Man’s Charges Withdrawn in Erie County Prostitution Case »

• Constable Facing Over 600 Trafficking and Related Charges

  Date: October 1, 2023

  On September 13, 2023, the Chambersburg Police Department charged Pennsylvania State Constable Timothy Heefner, 64, of Chambersburg, PA with over 600 charges related to human trafficking. Heefner was initially elected to serve as State Constable in 2015 and was re-elected … Read more about Constable Facing Over 600 Trafficking and Related Charges »

• Philadelphia Man Charged with One Count of Online Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution

  Date: September 27, 2023

  On September 18, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the district of New Jersey charged Louis Goldenberg, 41, of Philadelphia, with one count of Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor. Goldenberg appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in … Read more about Philadelphia Man Charged with One Count of Online Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution »

• UPDATE: Five Cumberland County Massage Parlors Busted in Human Trafficking Sting

  Date: September 20, 2023

  On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Zigui “Lisa” Zheng, 47, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania was the second person arrested in Cumberland County’s OPERATION: Closed2Trafficking. Zheng was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Operating a Corrupt Organization, Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds, Prostitution, … Read more about UPDATE: Five Cumberland County Massage Parlors Busted in Human Trafficking Sting »

• Man Arrested at Bucks County Hotel for Sex Trafficking

  Date: September 12, 2023

  On August 31, 2023, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office charged Dennis Ruoff, 49, with two counts of Trafficking in Individuals, Promoting Prostitution, Aggravated Indecent Assault  and Indecent Assault, along with one count of  Possession of a Controlled Substance with … Read more about Man Arrested at Bucks County Hotel for Sex Trafficking »