Items written by Shea Rhodes
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Border Patrol Agent Arrested Following 10-day Murder Spree of Marginalized Women
Date: September 17, 2018
On September 15, 2018, U.S. Border Patrol Agent, Juan David Ortiz, was arrested and charged with four counts of murder, one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of unlawful restraint. Ortiz, an agent with U.S. … Read more about Border Patrol Agent Arrested Following 10-day Murder Spree of Marginalized Women »
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Pittsburgh Police “Crackdown” on Human Trafficking
Date: September 6, 2018
On August 31, 2018, Pittsburgh police reported that, throughout the month of August, 27 people were arrested for patronizing prostitution, 12 people were arrested for prostitution, and one person was arrested for promoting prostitution. These arrests were made during the … Read more about Pittsburgh Police “Crackdown” on Human Trafficking »
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced Up to Five Years for Running Prostitution Business
Date: August 7, 2018
On July 24, 2018, Shagna Battle, 29, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to up to five years in prison followed by five years of probation for running a prostitution business. Court records reveal that Battle was found guilty by trial … Read more about Harrisburg Man Sentenced Up to Five Years for Running Prostitution Business »
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Ten Men Arrested in Lancaster City Sting Operation
Date: August 6, 2018
On July 19, 2018, the Lancaster City Police Department conducted an undercover investigation targeting those who buy sex. An undercover police officer posed as a prostituted person in order to catch buyers agreeing to engage in sexual relations in exchange … Read more about Ten Men Arrested in Lancaster City Sting Operation »
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Scranton Man Indicted on Federal Sex Trafficking and Interstate Prostitution Charges
Date: July 27, 2018
On July 24, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mark Cook, 39, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges relating to sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. This is the third … Read more about Scranton Man Indicted on Federal Sex Trafficking and Interstate Prostitution Charges »
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UPDATE: Additional Charges Filed Against Alleged Ringleader of Altoona Child Prostitution Ring
Date: July 25, 2018
On July 16, 2018, Blair County prosecutors filed additional charges against the alleged mastermind of a local child prostitution ring – nearly two weeks after he was first charged in connection with the ring. Court records reveal that Stephen Jason … Read more about UPDATE: Additional Charges Filed Against Alleged Ringleader of Altoona Child Prostitution Ring »
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Woman Charged with Promoting Prostitution of a Minor in Franklin County
Date: July 25, 2018
On July 16, 2018, the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against Venus Denise Rhodes, 36. News outlets reported that Rhodes, of Winter Garden, Florida, allegedly promoting the prostitution of a minor. The alleged incident took place … Read more about Woman Charged with Promoting Prostitution of a Minor in Franklin County »
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Human Trafficking Charges Filed for the First Time in History of Blair County
Date: July 10, 2018
On July 3, 2018, prosecutors in Blair County, Pennsylvania, announced that two individuals had been charged with trafficking of minors for the first time in the history of the county. Court records show that Kara S. Tornatore, 28, was charged … Read more about Human Trafficking Charges Filed for the First Time in History of Blair County »
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Woman Charged with Arranging a Child Pornography and Prostitution Business
Date: June 27, 2018
On June 14, 2018, Altoona police arrested Amy Marie Brosch, 30, following a criminal complaint. Court records show that Amy Marie Brosch was charged with one count of conspiracy to photograph, film, or depict a child engaged in a sex act (a … Read more about Woman Charged with Arranging a Child Pornography and Prostitution Business »
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Oklahoma Couple Indicted by Federal Grand Jury of Sex Trafficking of a Minor
Date: June 27, 2018
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania announced that, on June 5, 2018, Oscar Carter III, 34, and Shelby Summer Brown, 27, both of 1254 N. Cheyenne Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106, were indicted on charges relating … Read more about Oklahoma Couple Indicted by Federal Grand Jury of Sex Trafficking of a Minor »