Items written by Shea Rhodes

• UPDATE: Williamsport Man Charged with 67 Additional Counts in Child Sex Trafficking Case After Victim Testifies

  Date: March 11, 2025

  On December 23, 22-year-old, Nicholas Peterson, of Lycoming County, was arrested and charged with several crimes after a 14-year-old girl reported multiple instances when Peterson allegedly provided the minor drugs and alcohol in exchange for sexual acts. On February 11, … Read more about UPDATE: Williamsport Man Charged with 67 Additional Counts in Child Sex Trafficking Case After Victim Testifies »

• JetBlue Pilot arrested for Sexual Exploitation of Minor

  Date: March 3, 2025

  On February 20, a JetBlue pilot was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. US Customs and Border Protection identified an active warrant against 33 year-old Jeremy Gudorf of Ohio while … Read more about JetBlue Pilot arrested for Sexual Exploitation of Minor »

• How Wealth Fuels Demand for Exploitation: Alexander Brothers Charged in Sex Trafficking Scheme

  Date: February 26, 2025

  On December 8, 2024, officials from the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced charges against real estate brokers Oren and Tal Alexander and their brother Alon for allegedly running a sex trafficking scheme. … Read more about How Wealth Fuels Demand for Exploitation: Alexander Brothers Charged in Sex Trafficking Scheme »

• Scranton Man Charged with Production and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

  Date: February 26, 2025

  On February 6, Anthony Clyde Hoffman, 29, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for production and possession of child pornography. According to the prosecution, at the time a search warrant was executed, Hoffman possessed over 800 … Read more about Scranton Man Charged with Production and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material »

• Two Men Arrested and Charged for Exchanging Methamphetamine for Sexual Services

  Date: February 26, 2025

  Lackawanna County recently charged two men in separate incidents for attempting to exchange methamphetamine for sexual services. On January 13, Lackawanna County charged Jason Wood after he allegedly arranged to exchange methamphetamine for sexual services at a Scranton Hotel. He … Read more about Two Men Arrested and Charged for Exchanging Methamphetamine for Sexual Services »

• Scranton Police Department Makes Series of Prostitution Arrests in Spas

  Date: February 25, 2025

  In December 2024 and January 2025, the Scranton City Police Department made a series of prostitution arrests at two spas in the area. The first arrests occurred on December 12 following an undercover investigation into suspected prostitution at Harmony Spa … Read more about Scranton Police Department Makes Series of Prostitution Arrests in Spas »

• R. Kelly’s Federal Sex Crimes Conviction Upheld

  Date: February 25, 2025

  On February 12, 2025, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld Robert ‘R. Kelly’ Sylvester Kelly’s sex trafficking and racketeering conviction. The Circuit Court found that there was ample evidence supporting Kelly’s conviction. After a six-week trial … Read more about R. Kelly’s Federal Sex Crimes Conviction Upheld »

• Two Men Arrested by Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force

  Date: February 25, 2025

  On December 5, two men were arrested and charged following a trafficking sting carried out by the Berks County Human Trafficking task Force. Keith G. Manwiller, 49, of Hummelstown, Dauphin County, was charged with attempted trafficking, unlawful contact with a … Read more about Two Men Arrested by Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force »

• Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Exploiting Women in Sex Trafficking Scheme

  Date: February 22, 2025

  On January 30, Eric Jefferson, 41, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to one of four sex trafficking charges. As a part of his plea agreement, Jefferson also acknowledged his … Read more about Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Exploiting Women in Sex Trafficking Scheme »

• Cassville Man Sentenced to 8.5 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of Minor

  Date: February 22, 2025

  On January 14, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania sentenced Robert Mansberger, 59, of Cassville, Pennsylvania, to 8.5 years of federal imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for the attempted enticement of a minor. … Read more about Cassville Man Sentenced to 8.5 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of Minor »