On July 16th, 2021, Ramell Scott Hurdle, 37, previously convicted of human trafficking and related offenses was sentenced to 19-41 years in prison by the Honorable Judge Anna-Kristie Marks . In June, a Lehigh County jury convicted Ramell Hurdle of felony human trafficking, promoting prostitution and criminal use of a communication facility. Hurdle was acquitted of the assault charges against him.
The CSE Institute initially reported on Hurdle’s case in June 2021 following his conviction. The charges against Hurdle are related to incidents that occurred over a 6 month period, beginning in November 2018, where Hurdle kept a woman under his control and trafficked her. In an undercover operation that took place on May 15th, 2019, Allentown police and a Department of Homeland Security agent contacted the victim and arrested Hurdle at a south Allentown motel. During Hurdle’s trial, prosecutors stated Hurdle posted pictures he took of his victim online, promoting her for sex acts in exchange for money.
The woman testified that she was coming out of an abusive relationship and was working to save money for herself and her children when she was introduced to Hurdle by a friend. The victim’s friend suggested she use Hurdle to protect her while she was an escorting. After being assaulted in her motel room while preparing for a “date,” the woman was forced into a routine of daily prostitution by Hurdle. During her testimony, the woman stated Hurdle forced her to have sex with as many as 10 men a day and he kept most of the money that was exchanged for the victim’s sex acts for himself. The woman further testified that Hurdle would control her daily routines, leaving her without access to food and controlling when she would leave the motel.
The CSE Institute applauds the efforts of Allentown police, the Department of Homeland Security, Lehigh County, and Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert W. Schopf for investigating and prosecuting Ramell Scott Hurdle, which led to his sentencing. The CSE Institute further commends the bravery of the woman in working with law enforcement and coming forward against Hurdle.