News
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Mar 30
UPDATE: 22 Arrested in Connection with Philadelphia-Based Human Trafficking Ring
On February 13, Natoria Jones, 30, pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution for her role in managing payments linked to a human trafficking operation allegedly run by her father, Terrance L. Jones, in Northeast Philadelphia. In exchange for her guilty plea, prosecutors … Read more about UPDATE: 22 Arrested in Connection with Philadelphia-Based Human Trafficking Ring »
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Mar 30
A Long Overdue Shift – The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act
For decades, survivors of human trafficking have faced a devastating paradox within the criminal justice system: they are punished for crimes that were committed as a direct result of their exploitation. The recent enactment of the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act … Read more about A Long Overdue Shift – The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act »
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Mar 27
The Epstein Case: The Implications of a Ten-Year Statute of Limitation on Federal Civil Claims of Sex Trafficking
When, if ever, can the law justify cutting off legal recourse for survivors of human trafficking? At the federal level, this question turns largely on the statute of limitations imposed under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA). The … Read more about The Epstein Case: The Implications of a Ten-Year Statute of Limitation on Federal Civil Claims of Sex Trafficking »
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Mar 25
Three Pennsylvania Men Arrested for Undercover Child Sex Crimes
On February 3, the Derry Township Police Department announced the arrests of three Pennsylvania men following an undercover child sex crimes investigation. Joshua Zink, 49, Marshall Spatz, 68, and Scot Enrico Cerulli, 55, were all arrested in early January 2026. … Read more about Three Pennsylvania Men Arrested for Undercover Child Sex Crimes »
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Mar 25
Lancaster County Man Sentenced After Online Child Sex Trafficking Sting
On February 3rd, Paul Crawford, 64, was sentenced to serve 30 months to 10 years in state prison following Crawford’s entry into a plea deal negotiated with the Commonwealth. As part of Crawford’s plea deal, the Commonwealth dropped seven charges … Read more about Lancaster County Man Sentenced After Online Child Sex Trafficking Sting »
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Mar 25
Bucks County Man Pleads Guilty to Statutory Sexual Assault in Exploitation Ring Case
On February 12th, Jon Van Ingen, 68, pled guilty to statutory sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. Van Ingen remains free on $150,000 bail while awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for May 8, 2026. As we previously reported, Van Ingen … Read more about Bucks County Man Pleads Guilty to Statutory Sexual Assault in Exploitation Ring Case »
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Mar 23
Four Tyrone Men Charged in Child Sexual Exploitation Ring
On February 11, Samuel Friday and Morris Reese, two men in their mid-60’s from Tyrone, Pennsylvania, appeared in court for scheduled preliminary hearings on charges stemming from their alleged involvement in a child sexual exploitation ring. Both men were charged … Read more about Four Tyrone Men Charged in Child Sexual Exploitation Ring »
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Mar 13
NBA Cancels Celebration of Magic City Strip Club
On February 26, 2026, the Atlanta Hawks National Basketball Association (NBA) team announced a one-night collaboration to celebrate and promote Magic City, a strip club in Atlanta. The announcement sparked major backlash among NBA fans and players, including Luke Kornet, … Read more about NBA Cancels Celebration of Magic City Strip Club »
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Mar 05
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor
On February 3, Walter Tharrington was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for sex trafficking of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by U.S. District Court Judge Joel … Read more about Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor »
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Mar 03
Prompted to Exploit: AI and the Creation of Deepfake Pornography
Deepfake pornography is rapidly expanding as generative artificial intelligence (GAI) enables the manipulation of innocent images into sexually explicit content. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported GAI-related child sexual exploitation cases rising from 6,835 in the … Read more about Prompted to Exploit: AI and the Creation of Deepfake Pornography »