Items written by Shea Rhodes
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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 »
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Criminalizing the Use of Condoms – Allegheny County Uses Condoms as Evidence for “Possessing an Instrument of Crime”
Date: June 15, 2018
Is it a crime to have a condom in your pocket or purse? If so, how many condoms constitute a crime? Allegheny County thinks it should be, especially if you are charged with prostitution. Condoms, when used correctly and consistently, … Read more about Criminalizing the Use of Condoms – Allegheny County Uses Condoms as Evidence for “Possessing an Instrument of Crime” »
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Student Blog Series: The Role of the Internet in Facilitating Human Trafficking
Date: June 9, 2018
In recent years, the use of the internet and social media have skyrocketed. The number of internet users has more than doubled in the USA in the last fifteen years, rising from 49.1% of the population in 2001 to 88.5% in 2016. … Read more about Student Blog Series: The Role of the Internet in Facilitating Human Trafficking »
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UPDATE: Traffickers Who Lured Woman Across the Country Now Face Federal Charges
Date: June 5, 2018
The St. Louis Media Group has reported that Kashamba John and former underwear model, Tyler Batchel, have been indicted by U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for sex trafficking by means of force, fraud, and coercion. The … Read more about UPDATE: Traffickers Who Lured Woman Across the Country Now Face Federal Charges »