News
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Oct 04
Judge Declares Mistrial in Backpage.com Trial
On September 14, 2021, U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich declared a mistrial in the trial of the founders of Backpage.com that began earlier this month. The founders of the advertisement website faced charges of facilitating prostitution and money laundering. The … Read more about Judge Declares Mistrial in Backpage.com Trial »
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Oct 03
Illinois Improved its Vacatur and Expungement Remedy for Past Prostitution Convictions
On August 27th, Illinois’s Governor, J.B. Pritzker, signed into law Senate Bill 2136, now Public Law 102-0639, which provides that Illinois law enforcement agencies shall expunge all criminal history records for felony prostitution convictions, creates a timeline for automatic expungement … Read more about Illinois Improved its Vacatur and Expungement Remedy for Past Prostitution Convictions »
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Sep 22
Federal Lawsuit Seeks to Abolish Nevada’s Legal Prostitution Statute
Nevada is the only U.S. state where some form of prostitution is legal in ten counties. Currently, the state’s law permits licensed brothels to operate in counties with a population of 700,000 or less. Advocates argue legalization promotes safer sex … Read more about Federal Lawsuit Seeks to Abolish Nevada’s Legal Prostitution Statute »
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Sep 18
Grindr, A Dating App Used for Men Seeking Men, Poses Substantial Exploitation Risk to Minors
While women are predominantly portrayed in the media as survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, and the illegal sex trade predominantly impacts women and girls, identities within the LGBTQ+ community often go unnoticed. Instances of LGBTQ commercial sexual exploitation are even … Read more about Grindr, A Dating App Used for Men Seeking Men, Poses Substantial Exploitation Risk to Minors »
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Sep 14
Minneapolis GOP Strategist Charged with Sex Trafficking Minors
On August 12th, the FBI arrested Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, 30, a Minneapolis Republican strategist and political donor, based on allegations of trafficking minors. The federal indictment alleges that Lazzaro recruited six minors to engage in sex for money over several … Read more about Minneapolis GOP Strategist Charged with Sex Trafficking Minors »
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Sep 09
OnlyFans Reverses Decision to Ban Sexually Explicit Content
On August 25, 2021, the content subscription service, OnlyFans, announced it would suspend its proposed policy change to ban sexually explicit material. The announcement comes just days after the subscription service stated that creators would be prohibited from posting sexually … Read more about OnlyFans Reverses Decision to Ban Sexually Explicit Content »
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Aug 26
Texas Supreme Court Rules Human Trafficking Victims Can Proceed with Human Trafficking Claims Against Facebook
On June 25, 2021, the Supreme Court of Texas ruled that three human trafficking victims can proceed with their statutory human trafficking claims against Facebook. In the 6-0 decision, the court conditionally granted Facebook’s petition for mandamus relief in part … Read more about Texas Supreme Court Rules Human Trafficking Victims Can Proceed with Human Trafficking Claims Against Facebook »
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Aug 23
Philadelphia Man Indicted for Operating a Sex Trafficking Enterprise in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Delaware Counties
On August 2nd, 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin Smith, a twenty-seven year old man from Philadelphia was indicted for operating a sex trafficking enterprise in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Delaware counties. Smith … Read more about Philadelphia Man Indicted for Operating a Sex Trafficking Enterprise in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Delaware Counties »
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Aug 13
Resigned PBA President Schwager Enters ARD Program
On July 29th, 2021, Luzerne County Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr., granted former Pennsylvania Bar Association President, David Schwager’s, motion to enter into the accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) program. Schwager appeared before Judge Sklarosky for a dispositional hearing, stemming from … Read more about Resigned PBA President Schwager Enters ARD Program »
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Aug 06
Three Charged in Human Trafficking Ring Operating Out of Berks County
On Monday, July 26, 2021, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced that charges have been filed against three people connected to an alleged drug distribution and human trafficking ring operation in and around Reading in Berks County. The three people … Read more about Three Charged in Human Trafficking Ring Operating Out of Berks County »