Following nineteen months of terror, a 14-year-old girl finally received justice against her perpetrators. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office secured three convictions against Reggie Jamal Fields (24), Shaikey Copper (20), and Angelo Romero (23) and two negotiated guilty pleas against Fantasia Gale (22) and Shawn Jackson (24) stemming from April 2017 charges in connection with a child human trafficking case.
On April 23, 2017, a young girl made a decision that would forever change her life: she ran away from home. According to a media report, two days after running away, defendant Copper befriended her under the guise of helping the young victim. Copper took her to the home of defendant Fields where Copper instructed defendant Gale to post an online advertisement selling the victim for sex. Over the next several days, the victim was forced to have sex with multiple men. The victim was able to escape and has since been cooperating with authorities.
Court records reveal that Fields was convicted of IDSI Forcible Compulsion (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3123 §§ A1); Conspiracy – Sexual Exploitation Of Children (a second degree felony in violation of 18 § 903); Unlawful Contact With Minor – Sexual Offenses (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 6318 §§ A1); Unlawful Contact W/ Minor – Sexual Exploitation (a second degree felony in violation of 18 § 6318 §§ A6); Promote Prostitution of Minor – Own/Control House (a third degree felony in violation of 18 § 5902 §§ B.11); Trafficking in Minors (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3011 §§ B); Involuntary Servitude (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3012 §§ A); and Sexual Exploitation Of Children (a second degree felony in violation of 18 § 6320 §§ A).
Court records reveal that Copper was convicted of Conspiracy – Sexual Exploitation of Children (a second degree felony in violation of 18 § 903); Statutory Sexual Assault (a second degree felony in violation of 18 § 3122.1 §§ A1); Trafficking in Minors (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3011 §§ B); Involuntary Servitude (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3012 §§ A); Unlawful Contact With Minor – Sexual Offenses (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 6318 §§ A1); and Sexual Exploitation Of Children (a second degree felony in violation of 18 § 6320 §§ A).
Court records reveal that Gale entered negotiated guilty pleas for Corruption of Minors (a third degree felony in violation of 18 § 6301 §§ A1ii); Trafficking in Minors (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3011 §§ B); Promoting Prostitution of a Minor (a third degree felony in violation of 18 § 5902 §§ B.11); and Conspiracy for Trafficking in Minors (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 903).
Court records reveal that Jackson entered negotiated guilty pleas for Sexual Exploitation Of Children (a second degree felony in violation of 18 § 6320 §§ A); Conspiracy – Trafficking in Minors (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 903); Involuntary Servitude (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3012 §§ A); Trafficking in Minors (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3011 §§ B); and entered non-negotiated guilty pleas for Unlawful Contact With Minor (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 6318 §§ A1); Rape Forcible Compulsion (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3121 §§ A1); and IDSI Forcible Compulsion (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 3123 §§ A1).
The CSE Institute initially covered this story on May 8, 2017, after arrests were made for Fields, Gale, Jackson, and Copper. At the time, police were still searching for Romero. Law enforcement eventually located and arrested Romero on June 16, 2017. Court records reveal that Romero was convicted of Unlawful Contact with a Minor (a first degree felony in violation of 18 § 6318 §§ A1).
Assistant District Attorney Michelle Michelson prosecuted these cases. As a 2015 Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law alum and a former extern for the CSE Institute, Michelson stated: “My time as an Extern with the CSE Institute solidified my decision to be a sex crimes prosecutor. Meeting courageous survivors of trafficking and hearing their stories gave me insight into a world that I was previously unaware and equipped me with the skills to explain that world to a jury. I am so fortunate to work with courageous survivors, like the survivor in this case, who stood up to her attackers and gave compelling, articulate testimony.”
The CSE Institute applauds the Philadelphia Police and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for their tireless work to ensure that traffickers are brought to justice, and to protect the safety of those brave witnesses that are willing to face their offenders at trial. Further, the CSE Institute commends the bravery and resilience of this young victim. The Philadelphia Police released a statement that “[t]he young complainant demonstrated amazing courage in cooperating with the investigation and participating in the court proceedings, despite significant witness intimidation, which occurred before and during trial.”
All views 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.