News/Blog categorized: News
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Oct 05
Two Men Accused of Trafficking Women in Luzerne County Likely to Face 2027 Trials
On September 2, Pennsylvania Senior Deputy Attorney General Zachary M. Wynkoop announced that the Commonwealth plans to seek separate trials for Larry McLeod, 62, of Wilkes-Barre, and Omar Samuel, 48, of Blakeslee, two men accused of trafficking and forcing women … Read more about Two Men Accused of Trafficking Women in Luzerne County Likely to Face 2027 Trials »
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Oct 01
Change in FBI Policy Lifts Ban on Employing Sex Buyers
According to a recent change in the FBI’s hiring policy, applicants are no longer barred from employment if they have a history of buying sex unless they have done so “three or more times.” The new policy, which also relaxes … Read more about Change in FBI Policy Lifts Ban on Employing Sex Buyers »
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Sep 25
State Police Charge Williamsport Woman with Prostitution
On June 9, state troopers arrested a 23-year-old woman after she allegedly offered commercial sex to two undercover officers in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She has since been charged with prostitution and possession of a controlled substance. She waived her preliminary hearing … Read more about State Police Charge Williamsport Woman with Prostitution »
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Sep 22
NFL 49ers Owner Arrested for Engaging in Prostitution in Ohio
On Sunday, August 23, 49ers owner Jed York, 46, was arrested in Ohio on two misdemeanor charges: engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. York’s arrest came after he responded to an advertisement posted by an agent of the Mahoning … Read more about NFL 49ers Owner Arrested for Engaging in Prostitution in Ohio »
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Sep 18
Mechanicsburg Undercover Operation Leads to Alleged Sex Buyer Charged
On August 18, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office charged Gregory Fisher, 53, with numerous crimes after he allegedly attempted to solicit commercial sex from an undercover police officer posing as a minor. Fisher is charged with 16 felonies, including … Read more about Mechanicsburg Undercover Operation Leads to Alleged Sex Buyer Charged »
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Sep 15
Woman Allegedly Lured from New York and Forced to Participate in Trafficking Operation
On August 9, the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office charged Abimael Garcia-Vilchiz, 35, with a felony count of involuntary servitude for allegedly luring a woman from New York and forcing her facilitate his sex trafficking operation. Judge Annie Gomez Shockey … Read more about Woman Allegedly Lured from New York and Forced to Participate in Trafficking Operation »
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Sep 08
UPDATE: 11 Men Charged with Buying Sex from Illicit Massage Business Trafficking Victims While Cases Against Alleged Victims Move Forward
On August 3, state police filed charges against 11 men who admitted to buying sex at a Loyalsock County illicit massage business formerly known as Green Spa and Massage. Mark Bletz, 59, Justin Carpenter, 46, Scott Gunter, 55, Mark Harding, … Read more about UPDATE: 11 Men Charged with Buying Sex from Illicit Massage Business Trafficking Victims While Cases Against Alleged Victims Move Forward »
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Sep 02
UPDATE: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules State Public Policy Does Not Bar Insurance Coverage for Trafficking Claims
On July 21, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court unanimously ruled that insurers cannot invoke public policy to refuse to deny coverage to hotels sued by trafficking victims. In 2023, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania decided … Read more about UPDATE: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules State Public Policy Does Not Bar Insurance Coverage for Trafficking Claims »
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Aug 28
Lancaster County Woman Charged with Trafficking a Minor in Harrisburg, Allegedly Leading to Her Overdose
On July 25, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office charged Christine Latchford, 33, for allegedly forcing a 16-year-old runaway into prostitution. The charges stem from an investigation following the minor’s supposed overdose in an abandoned property in Harrisburg. Among Latchford’s … Read more about Lancaster County Woman Charged with Trafficking a Minor in Harrisburg, Allegedly Leading to Her Overdose »
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Aug 24
Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 30 Years for Child Sex Trafficking
On July 23, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania announced that a Pittsburgh resident was sentenced to 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor. … Read more about Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 30 Years for Child Sex Trafficking »