Items written by Shea Rhodes

• Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Abercrombie & Fitch for “Sex Trafficking Venture”

  Date: November 28, 2023

  On October 27, 2023, former Abercrombie & Fitch model David Bradberry filed an individual and class action against Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and its former CEO, Michael Jeffries, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New … Read more about Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Abercrombie & Fitch for “Sex Trafficking Venture” »

• Lewistown Woman Faces Prostitution Charges

  Date: November 21, 2023

  On July 20, 2023, a 52-year-old woman of Lewistown, PA was arrested and charged with prostitution following an FBI human trafficking investigation. An operation conducted with FBI State College, FBI Williamsport, and Mifflin County Regional Police attempted to identify and … Read more about Lewistown Woman Faces Prostitution Charges »

• “Prostitution Sting” in Scranton arrests victim and her trafficker

  Date: November 12, 2023

  On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the Scranton Police Department arrested a man and a woman in a prostitution sting. Officers began their investigation by posing as a sex buyer on a website “geared toward prostitution.” After engaging with the woman … Read more about “Prostitution Sting” in Scranton arrests victim and her trafficker »

• Man Arrested in Multi-State Sex Trafficking Ring

  Date: October 25, 2023

  On October 12, 2023, the Monroeville District Attorney’s Office charged Donte LaShawn Cole, 28, with a total of 19  counts including: Trafficking in Individuals, Involuntary Servitude, Dealing in the Proceeds of Illegal Activity, and Corrupt Organizations. Cole was arrested by … Read more about Man Arrested in Multi-State Sex Trafficking Ring »

• 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 »