Authorities suspect Stephen Higgins is involved in trafficking a 19-year-old woman in Tannersville. He is currently being charged with involuntary servitude, trafficking in individuals, and promoting prostitution in Monroe County. According to WFMZ-TV, a warrant was issued for Higgins following an undercover operation at a Tannersville hotel where detectives came into contact with the woman alleged to be a victim of human trafficking. Detectives believe that the woman was allegedly being forced to prostitute under the direction and control of Higgins. WFMZ-TV reports that Higgins has a history of trafficking minors in California and is known to frequent Nevada, Maryland, California, Ohio, and Indiana. Higgins was last seen driving a gray 2018 Kia Optima rental car and is currently on the run. The Monroe County District Attorney’s is asking for help from the public in their search for Higgins. Anyone with information about Higgins is asked to contact Detective Kim Lippincott at (570) 517-3059 or klippincott@monroecountypa.gov.
The CSE Institute is hopeful this suspect will be recovered by authorities, ensuring he will not longer be able to victimize additional persons.
All viewed expressed herein are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law or of Villanova University