Who's in the News?

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Police Requesting Assistance in Locating Wanted Man Yet Again for Failure to Register as Sex Offender - $1,000 reward
Members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit are seeking the whereabouts of Steven Richard Davis, Jr, 34, of no fixed address, who has an active warrant charging him with failure to register as a sex offender.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Davis is asked to call Cpl. Rickard at 301-609-3282 ext. 0660. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS.
https://smnewsnet.com/archives/520158/update-police-requesting-assistance-in-locating-wanted-man-yet-again-for-failure-to-register-as-sex-offender/

▫️Man wanted for human trafficking in Jasper County
JASPER COUNTY, Miss.  – Jasper County deputies are searching for 43-year-old Kevin Page who’s wanted for sexual battery and human trafficking.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 601-764-2588 or East Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 1-855-458-8477.
» https://www.wdam.com/2024/04/25/man-wanted-sexual-battery-human-trafficking-jasper-co-sheriffs-office-says/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.wjtv.com/news/pine-belt/man-wanted-for-human-trafficking-in-jasper-county/

▫️Crime Stoppers: Man wanted in Scott Co. on warrants, failure to appear
SCOTT Co., Iowa  - Have you seen him?
Clarence Ford III, 39 is wanted in Scott County on warrants for sex offender registration violation, sex offender providing false information, and failure to appear in court on a charge of sex offender registration violation.
If you know where he is, call Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities at 309-762-9500 or tap the app P3 Tips. All tips are anonymous. If yours leads to an arrest, you’ll receive a cash reward.
https://www.kwqc.com/2024/04/25/crime-stoppers-man-wanted-scott-co-warrants-failure-appear/   (VIDEO)

▫️Othello police arrest 15 people in sex trafficking operation
The Othello (Washington) Police Department arrested 15 alleged sex buyers from around the region in an operation spanning several weeks.
Sex buyers ran from police, assaulted police and promoted prostitution during the investigation, police said. Charges included patronizing a prostitute, promoting prostitution, resisting arrest, forgery and a domestic violence no-contact order violation. 
» https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/apr/25/othello-police-arrest-15-people-in-sex-trafficking/
» https://www.khq.com/news/15-people-accused-of-buying-sex-arrested-by-othello-police/article_bde46e70-0358-11ef-85fd-7b43c16b88f1.html

▫️Tulsa Police Arrest Two People Suspected of Human Trafficking
Tulsa Police arrested two people suspected of human trafficking a teenage girl who was missing from protective custody in Texas.
Police said the teenager's picture was posted online for prostitution. When an undercover officer set up a time to meet her at a motel room, officers arrested Timothy Davis and Whitney Lambert, who are accused of human trafficking.
Police then took the teenager into protective custody.
https://www.newson6.com/story/5ee11be4b9278952c65cd11b/oklahoma-city-bombing-victims (VIDEO)

▫️Two men arrested in Lincoln City during child luring investigation
LINCOLN COUNTY Ore.  - During a multi-agency child luring investigation in Lincoln County two men were arrested for luring a minor and sex corruption of a child, according to Lincoln City Police.
Jagdeep Singh, 23, of Salem was arrested after attempting to meet with a child for sex at an undisclosed location in Lincoln City. Singh is charged with luring a minor and online sex corruption of a child in the first degree.
Alec Adams, 27, of Depoe Bay was arrested after offering to meet with a child for sex at an undisclosed location in Lincoln County. Adams is charged with luring a minor and online sex corruption of a child in the second degree.
https://www.kptv.com/2024/04/26/two-men-arrested-lincoln-city-during-child-luring-investigation/

▫️Ohio attorney arrested in Columbiana County sex sting
LISBON– Agents with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force arrested an attorney seeking to buy sex during an undercover operation, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene announced Thursday.
Jeffrey McGaffick, 62, of Mentor, was arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools. 
» https://www.wfmj.com/story/50713278/attorney-arrested-in-columbiana-county-sex-sting
» https://www.morningjournalnews.com/news/local-news/2024/04/mentor-attorney-arrested-in-sex-sting/
» https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/ohio-attorney-arrested-in-columbiana-county-sex-sting/

▫️Tiffin police arrest man accused of child sex crimes
TIFFIN, Ohio — Police arrested a man Thursday accused of attempting to have sex with a minor.
Porfirio Elijah Sutton, 23, of Tiffin, faces charges including disseminating matter harmful to a juvenile, importuning and attempting to have sex with a minor when he traveled to a meeting point law enforcement had established with him during an investigation into his alleged inappropriate communications with a juvenile.
The week-long investigation into Sutton began after a parent reported to police that he was allegedly having inappropriate communication with a juvenile.
https://www.wtol.com/article/news/crime/tiffin-police-arrest-man-accused-child-sex-crimes/512-55eb601b-9cee-4afd-af6f-8696f6112970 (VIDEO)

▫️Lee County man Joseph Jay Vieu arrested, charged with human trafficking after attempting to purchase 9-year-old
LEE COUNTY, N.C. - A Lee County man is facing several charges after deputies said he attempted to purchase a 9-year-old.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said deputies were investigating 50-year-old Joseph Jay Vieu with the assistance of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office after he attempted to purchase a child.
Vieu was arrested and charged with two counts of human trafficking of a child victim and two counts of solicitation of prostitution of a minor.
» https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/i-have-no-words-lee-county-man-facing-human-trafficking-charges-after-trying-to-purchase-child-deputies-say/  (VIDEO)
» https://abc11.com/lee-county-man-joseph-jay-vieu-arrested-charged-with-human-trafficking/14735893/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.wral.com/story/lee-county-man-arrested-in-an-attempt-to-buy-a-9-year-old-child/21400133/

▫️Man arrested for attempting to kidnap child riding bike to school
JONES, Okla. — The Jones Police Department is investigating an attempted child abduction after a little girl was nearly taken on her way to school.
Officers said the young girl was riding her bike along Montana Street when 24-year-old Eli Underwood pulled up right next to her. Underwood was later arrested and booked on charges of attempted kidnapping.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/man-arrested-attempting-kidnap-child-233000046.html

▫️York County foster parent sexually abused two children across 3-year span, police allege
Glenn McLean, a Newberry Township man who took the role of foster dad to a half dozen children, now faces two sets of criminal charges alleging sexual abuse of young people in his care.
Newberry Township police accused McLean, 71, of sexually abusing two children who were in his and his wife’s care at different times through the KidsPeace program. The nonprofit based near Allentown provides behavioral and mental health services as well as foster family services in Pennsylvania and several other states.
The two cases brought a combined 14 charges against McLean, including child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors.
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/crime/2024/04/25/york-county-foster-parent-sexually-abused-two-children-across-3-year-span-police-allege/73443424007/

▫️Ex-Miramar Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Child Abuse in Case Involving Minor He Met On Tinder
Former Miramar police officer Jose Hernandez, 30, has pleaded guilty to an aggravated child abuse charge after being accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl he met on the dating app Tinder, reported Local 10 News. Hernandez was originally charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, but a plea deal resulted in the change of charge.
» https://hoodline.com/2024/04/ex-miramar-police-officer-pleads-guilty-to-aggravated-child-abuse-in-case-involving-minor-he-met-on-tinder/
» https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/04/24/miramar-police-officer-accused-of-having-sex-with-minor-he-met-on-tinder-pleads-guilty

▫️Louisiana man arrested on charges of trafficking & animal cruelty
LAKE CHARLES, La. - A Sulphur man accused of sexual abuse was also found to be involved with cruelty to animals.
According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, detectives received a report in reference to a rape on April 8. During the investigation the 16-year-old victim alleged they were being sexually abused by Derek F. Thibodeaux, Jr., 55 of Sulphur. 
Thibodeaux was arrested on Wednesday and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. He was charged with trafficking of children for sexual purposes, aggravated cruelty to animals and cockfighting.
His bond was set at $1,215,000. The dog was seized by Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and received veterinary care.
» https://www.kplctv.com/2024/04/25/sulphur-man-accused-child-sex-trafficking-cruelty-animals/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.klfy.com/louisiana/louisiana-man-arrested-on-charges-of-trafficking-and-animal-cruelty/

▫️State Police execute search warrant at Archdiocese of New Orleans in expanding church sex abuse investigation
NEW ORLEANS  - Louisiana State Police executed a search warrant at the Archdiocese of New Orleans headquarters on Thursday (April 25), signaling a widening investigation into long-running allegations of sexual abuse within the church.
The search took place at the archdiocese’s headquarters on Walmsley Avenue around 10 a.m. and was approved earlier in the week by Orleans Criminal Court Judge Juana Lombard.
https://www.fox8live.com/2024/04/25/state-police-execute-search-warrant-archdiocese-new-orleans-expanding-church-sex-abuse-investigation/

▫️Anchorage man pleads guilty to a child exploitation offense, The FBI is seeking to identify potential victims
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man pleaded guilty today to attempting to coerce and entice a minor in 2023.
According to court documents, in July 2023, Benjamin Roundy, aka “Aleks” or “Alekzander Marko,” 42, began communicating with an individual he believed was a 13-year-old girl on an online platform, but who was in fact an FBI agent acting in an undercover capacity. 
If anyone has any information concerning Roundy’s actions or may have encountered someone using the name “Aleks” or “Alekzander Marko” in person, via text message on an online messaging app, please contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276-4441 or anonymously at tips.fbi.gov.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/anchorage-man-pleads-guilty-child-exploitation-offense

▫️Firm expands lawsuit against Walmart after janitor is accused of filming women in store bathroom
ATLANTA  - A law firm in Atlanta has expanded its previous lawsuit against Walmart, demanding $750 million and alleging the stores provide a “fertile crime scene for sex offenders.”
Five women filed a lawsuit in November against the company and against Lester Jolly, who worked as a janitor at a Walmart in Decatur, Georgia. They accused Jolly of filming them in the bathroom at the store and said Walmart was negligent by not preventing the incidents.
Jolly was arrested in June and charged with two counts of unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance.
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/04/25/firm-expands-lawsuit-against-walmart-after-janitor-is-accused-filming-women-store-bathroom/

▫️Missouri Officials hope to codify anti-trafficking task force - Missouri Gov. Parson & Attorney Gen. Bailey discuss efforts to end human trafficking
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — “The sooner the legislation is passed, the sooner we can eradicate human trafficking and child trafficking here in Missouri once and for all,” Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said inside a conference room at the Southwest Missouri MoDOT office.
“We’ve assembled a 54-member anti-human trafficking task force consisting of law enforcement agencies, nonprofit advocacy groups and other stakeholders from across our state,” Bailey, who is running for re-election at the AG office said. “We’ve created this task force with one goal in mind to end the scourge of human trafficking in Missouri.”
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBNQIAhMW24   (VIDEO)
» https://www.ky3.com/2024/04/25/watch-live-2-pm-missouri-gov-parson-attorney-gen-bailey-discuss-efforts-end-human-trafficking/   (VIDEO)
» https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/ag-bailey-governor-parson-call-on-state-lawmakers-to-codify-anti-trafficking-task-force/
» https://www.komc.com/news-content/local-news/ag-bailey-governor-parson-call-on-state-lawmakers-to-codify-anti-trafficking-task-force/

▫️Brett Dahl, Victorville Charter School Teacher, Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Charges
A Victorville, California, schoolteacher was arrested in connection with a child molestation investigation.San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department ( SBCSD) officials with the Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail – responded to reports of a child sex abuse incident at Excelsior Charter Schools, a department news release confirmed.The suspect – charter schoolteacher Brett David Dahl – was taken into custody on April 24.
» https://www.dlawgroup.com/brett-dahl-victorville-charter-school-teacher-arrested-child-sexual-abuse/
» https://local.nixle.com/alert/10914797/

▫️Cartersville Youth Pastor Pleads Guilty to Child Molestation And Sodomy Charges
Christopher Matthew Codding, 44, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony child molestation and one count of sodomy in Floyd County Superior Court on Thursday.
“Most of these kids had troubled home lives,” Floyd County Assistant District Attorney Emily Johnson told the court. “He would basically step in as a father figure to these kids... Basically, he set up his house as a man cave and would have boys over to his house.”
https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/rome/news/local/sophisticated-predator-cartersville-youth-pastor-pleads-guilty-to-child-molestation-and-sodomy-charges/article_9a1ad8ee-db70-5438-b1ff-2bee2e0828d5.html

▫️Three Men Arrested Following TBI Online Child Exploitation Investigation
TBI agents opened the investigation after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about three individuals uploading child sexual abuse material on platforms such as Dropbox and Discord. During the investigation, agents identified the individuals and, on Tuesday and Wednesday, conducted an operation to search two homes, during which agents seized a total of 44 electronic devices for further examination. They also arrested Garry Alford (DOB 3-15-1984), Johnathan Curtis (DOB 2-18-1992), and Clifton Johnston (DOB 12-22-1985) and charged each with one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. 
https://tbinewsroom.com/2024/04/25/three-men-arrested-following-tbi-online-child-exploitation-investigation/

▫️Portland police tackle human trafficking in plain sight
FOX 12 Investigates got exclusive access to the team’s work, joining them in the field for several missions.
Much of their work is concentrated on a very small part of the city, 82nd Avenue. Two-thirds of prostitution charges over the past year have come from the area, according to data from the Portland Police Bureau’s data dashboard.
» https://youtu.be/XghcPtwVXDA  (VIDEO)
» https://www.kptv.com/2024/04/25/portland-police-tackle-human-trafficking-plain-sight/  (VIDEO)

▫️HSI El Paso Investigation Results in Nearly 22 Years in Prison for Kidnapping Resulting in Death
EL PASO, Texas — An El Paso man was sentenced April 24 in prison for kidnapping resulting in death following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The El Paso Police Department, the New Mexico State Police, the Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol assisted with the investigation.
Armando Leonardo Moreno aka Cholo, 21, served as a soldier in a transnational criminal organization and conspired with other organization members on or around Sept. 13, 2021, to kidnap a subject from an El Paso stash house. On Sept. 16, 2021, the subject was found deceased in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with multiple gunshot and stab wounds, according to court documents.
Co-defendants Michelle Karen Avila, Ruben Pimentel and Ricardo Matthew Gutierrez were previously sentenced. Avila was sentenced to 60 months in prison, Pimentel was sentenced to 108 months, and Gutierrez received a 135-month sentence. A fourth defendant, Alberto Rodriguez, remains in federal custody and is scheduled to be sentenced May 1.
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/04/25/hsi-el-paso-investigation-results-nearly-22-years-prison-kidnapping-resulting-death

▫️Oklahoma Man Who Repeatedly Sexually Assaulted 5-Year-Old Receives Life Sentence Following HSI Tulsa, Partner Investigation
TULSA, Okla. — A Delaware County man was sentenced to life in prison for aggravated sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor, announced HSI Dallas Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mary Magness and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District Oklahoma Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Glenn David Nickols, 41, to life imprisonment. If released, Nickols will be required to register as a sex offender and placed on supervised release.
According to court records, from March 2020 through August 2020, Nickols engaged in repetitive and sadistic sexual acts with the 5-year-old child on multiple occasions.
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/04/25/oklahoma-man-who-repeatedly-sexually-assaulted-5-year-old-receives-life-sentence

▫️Man killed in Seattle child sex sting had 40-year Navy history (UPDATE)
SEATTLE - FOX 13 News uncovered new documents surrounding the man police killed during a child sex sting operation in South Seattle.
Seattle Police say Bruce Meneley thought he was meeting an 11-year-old and a 7-year-old at the DoubleTree on Southcenter Parkway. Body camera footage shows the person identified as Meneley by the King County Medical Examiner pulling a gun out as soon as officers open the door to contact him.
New documents FOX 13 News obtained from the U.S. Military show Meneley’s official history with the Navy. Meneley enlisted in 1975 and retired in 2016, holding powerful positions in several different countries during that time.
According to the Navy records, Meneley’s last duty station was Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with the Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute. He was stationed there from 2014 to 2016 and from 06/30/2007 - 09/01/2009:  Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
» https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/seattle-child-sex-sting-meneley  (VIDEO)
» https://www.the-sun.com/news/11186864/who-bruce-coval-meneley-seattle/

▫️Homeland Security addresses online safety, fraud, human trafficking at Myrtle Beach awareness event
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.  — A representative from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations office spoke Thursday in Myrtle Beach about internet safety, fraud and human trafficking.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Horry County Sheriff’s Office hosted the event at the Mary C. Canty Recreation Center.  
https://www.wbtw.com/news/grand-strand/myrtle-beach/homeland-security-talks-online-safety-fraud-and-human-trafficking-at-awareness-event/  (VIDEO)

▫️Mexico stops trailer with 131 migrants south of Juarez
Fourteen unaccompanied minors and nine families were among the group. The unaccompanied minors and the families later were taken to a shelter run by DIF, the government’s child and family services agency.
The unidentified driver was arrested and turned over to the Mexican federal police for further questioning.
https://www.borderreport.com/immigration/mexico-stops-trailer-with-131-migrants-south-of-juarez/  (VIDEO)

▫️CCRTA and law enforcement join forces to fight local human trafficking
https://youtu.be/bo_b4MrWtBw  (VIDEO)

▫️Exposing the Human Trafficking Operations Disguised as Refugee Charities
https://youtu.be/2q6nzNj1wOo  (VIDEO)

▫️Human Trafficking presentation Sun, 04/28/2024 - 2:00pm
Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes. Fund for Women of Sussex County & What Is Your Voice and Philanthropy Delaware will present New York-based professional actor Mary Goggins in “Runaway Princess: A Hopeful Tale of Heroin, Hooking and Happiness.” panel of experts will discuss what public can do to help combat crisis following performance.
https://www.capegazette.com/article/human-trafficking-presentation/274101

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Five men arrested after human trafficking investigation by Redding police
REDDING, Calif. — Five men were arrested in connection with a human trafficking operation led by the Redding Police Department (RPD) over the past week.
The RPD says the goal of this undercover operation was to investigate possible human trafficking suspects and target those who negotiated to meet with juveniles for sexual acts. RPD officers posed as minors during the operation on various social media platforms. Several individuals were arrested for charges related to arranging to meet a minor to engage in lewd or lascivious acts.
» https://krcrtv.com/news/local/five-men-arrested-after-human-trafficking-investigation-by-redding-police
» https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/undercover-redding-police-officers-arrest-5-suspects/article_1ed824ee-041f-11ef-8785-0b9ee550bfa5.html

▫️Phillipsburg Police and Warren County Prosecutor's Office Seek Suspect in Alleged Sexual Contact with a Minor
PHILLIPSBURG, NJ - The Phillipsburg Police Department and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office are attempting to identify a male perpetrator alleged to be responsible for the sexual contact of a minor child.
Authorities say the incident occurred in September 2023 at Walter’s Park, and the suspected male perpetrator allegedly told the child not to tell anyone. The perpetrator is considered to be unknown to the child.
Anyone with information regarding the identity and alleged perpetrator or information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Phillipsburg Police Department at (908) 835-2002 or the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Tip Line at (908) 475-6643.
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/phillipsburg/sections/police-and-fire/articles/phillipsburg-police-and-warren-county-prosecutor-s-office-seek-suspect-in-alleged-sexual-contact-with-a-minor

▫️Man wanted for sexual battery, human trafficking in Jasper Co. in custody
JASPER COUNTY, Miss.  - Law enforcement in Jasper County has captured a man wanted on human trafficking and sexual battery warrants.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department said 43-year-old Kevin Page was captured on Friday by Jasper County deputies with the assistance of Bay Springs Police Department officers.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office online inmate roster, Page was booked into the Jasper County Jail on one count of human trafficking and one count of sexual battery.
https://www.wdam.com/2024/04/26/man-wanted-sexual-battery-human-trafficking-jasper-co-custody/  (VIDEO)

▫️24 arrests in Albany as a result of "citizen-led" online predator catcher
ALBANY, Ore. - 24 people were arrested for charges related to corruption of minors after an online "predator catcher" operated out of Albany between March and April.
The predator catcher, who runs an online account titled 'People vs. Pred' on Facebook under the username "Tim Johnson," said he has been operating the account for three years. Over that time, he claims to have caught more than 400 suspected child predators, 150 of which have led to arrests.
https://www.kezi.com/news/24-arrests-in-albany-as-a-result-of-citizen-led-online-predator-catcher/article_9f5566d4-0449-11ef-81b3-c3fd23dd1976.html

▫️High-ranking Ohio National Guard officer charged with rape of child
DELAWARE, Ohio - A high-ranking officer in the Ohio National Guard is charged with three counts of rape and now sits in the Delaware County jail.
Steven Vicario, 40, is facing rape charges, along with one count each of gross sexual imposition and tampering with evidence.
Vicario is a Lieutenant Colonel in the guard. A spokeswoman for the guard said he’s also a full-time employee of the guard and works at Joint Force headquarters as a mobilization officer.
https://myfox28columbus.com/news/local/high-ranking-ohio-national-gguard-officer-charged-with-rape-of-child (VIDEO)

▫️Brevard business owner arrested, accused of human trafficking
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — Raymond Smith, owner of G & G Roofing in Rockledge, is accused of transporting migrants without documents to the Bahamas from the U.S. to work on his property in Lubbers Cay.
A cooperating source quoted in the federal criminal complaint from the Department of Homeland Security states, “At the direction of Smith, the undocumented aliens were to be transported to the Bahamas via vessel to avoid detection
Federal agents conducted surveillance on Smith’s waterfront home on the Indian River Lagoon and followed his boat on April 19. After intercepting the vessel and conducting a search, the report states agents found four Hondurans on board, three of whom had pending immigration cases.
» https://www.wesh.com/article/g-and-g-roofing-human-trafficking-arrest/60620741  (VIDEO)
 » https://thespacecoastrocket.com/owner-of-gg-roofing-arrested-on-human-trafficking-charges/
»

▫️Man arrested in Illinois on Salem child sex abuse charge
SALEM Ore.  - A man from Salem was arrested in a village in Illinois on child sex abuse charges stemming from an incident in Salem earlier this month.
On April 1, A mother reported that while shopping at a variety store in the 2700 block of Lancaster Drive Northeast, she lost sight of her three-year-old daughter. She reported seeing her daughter in the arms of an unknown man.
Police identified 28-year-old Jason Patrick Mikel as the suspect and presented their findings to a Marion County Grand Jury on April 19. Mikel was indicted on the following charges: attempted unlawful sexual penetration; sex abuse; attempted kidnapping.
https://www.kptv.com/2024/04/26/man-arrested-illinois-salem-child-sex-abuse-charge/

▫️Vallejo man charged with human trafficking in Oakland
OAKLAND — A Vallejo man has been charged with five felonies for allegedly trafficking a woman since last February, court records show.
Deshawn Johnson, 26, was charged with pandering, pimping, human trafficking, domestic violence and making criminal threats. He was held to answer on the charges at an April 19 preliminary hearing and is next due in court May 3 for an arraignment, records show.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/04/26/vallejo-man-charged-with-human-trafficking-in-oakland/

▫️Man arrested in child predator sting indicted by grand jury
The man who was arrested in a child predator sting by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in February has been indicted by a Lincoln County grand jury.
Ronald R. Sparks, 52, of 150 Collins Spur Road in Eubank, was intercepted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) on Feb. 24 while he was allegedly on his way to meet a nine-year-old girl for sexual purposes.
https://www.theinteriorjournal.com/2024/04/26/man-arrested-in-child-predator-sting-indicted-by-grand-jury/

▫️Iowa man found guilty of sexually exploiting a child
POLK COUNTY, Iowa — A jury has found a Polk County man guilty of 11 counts of sexually exploiting a child.
Grand Mead, 33, was accused of sending video files through social media. He will be sentenced on June 21.
https://www.kcci.com/article/grant-mead-iowa-man-found-guilty-sexual-exploitation/60617660  (VIDEO)

▫️Bossier City man found guilty of molestation, forcing children to watch porn
BOSSIER CITY, La.  - Following an investigation into a family member, detectives began investigating Bossier City man, David Patton.
On April 25, after 30 minutes of deliberation, a Bossier Parish jury found David Junior Patton, 45, of Bossier City, guilty of molestation of a juvenile and two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.
The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office was made aware of sexual abuse allegations while it investigated another family member of Patton’s. Investigators made contact with the victims, who revealed they were exposed to lewd acts committed by Patton for several years.
https://www.ksla.com/2024/04/26/bossier-city-man-found-guilty-molestation-forced-children-watch-porn/

▫️Judge unveils charges in horrific child abuse case; additional defendants make appearance
CATLETTSBURG Boyd County Circuit Judge George Davis listed all 38 charges against an Ashland couple accused of heinous child abuse in open court on Friday.
The multitude of charges come after a Boyd County grand jury issued a superseding indictment in the case involving Kayla Marie Frazier, 32, and Austin Adam Frazier, 27, who were arrested after a young girl escaped from their home in January.
Friday marked the first court appearance for the couple following an investigation that led to a superseding indictment, in which a grand jury elected to upgrade initial charges.
Male inmates in the background of a video conference streaming from the Boyd County Jail appeared visibly resentful as Davis listed each of the counts against the Fraziers, which include charges of female genital mutilation and sexual abuse that, per the indictment, caused permanent disfigurement to the child.
https://www.dailyindependent.com/news/judge-unveils-charges-in-horrific-child-abuse-case-additional-defendants-make-appearance/article_865ac616-03f3-11ef-823c-ebf18483013a.html

▫️Florida restaurant manager accused of repeatedly sexually abusing 16-year-old employee
Fifty-four-year-old Juan Carlos Trujillo is charged with sexual assault, child abuse, three counts of indecent lewd or lascivious touching of a minor, two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two counts of selling, giving or serving alcohol to a person under 21 years old.
https://www.wpbf.com/article/pb-catch-palm-beach-florida-restaurant-manager-accused-sexually-abusing-16-year-old/60622880

▫️Sexual abuse of a runaway juvenile under investigation
Joplin police are looking into a 12-year-old runaway's report that he is being sexually abused by another foster child.
Capt. William Davis of the Joplin Police Department said police learned Tuesday that a boy whom his foster parent had looked for and located was exhibiting suicidal behavior.
Davis said the boy subsequently divulged that another male juvenile in his foster home has been sexually abusing him. The matter remained under investigation Wednesday without any detention or arrest made.
https://www.aol.com/sexual-abuse-runaway-juvenile-under-223500620.html

▫️Sex offender arrested after encounter at Westlake, Ohio, park
WESTLAKE, Ohio  — An encounter earlier this month between a woman with her toddler and a 61-year-old man at a Westlake park led to a felony arrest warrant for the man, after Westlake police learned he was a formerly registered sex offender, according to a report.
A resident who recognized the man from an online sex offender database called Westlake police at about 10 a.m. on April 13 to report the 61-year-old Westlake man, later identified as Tao Huang, was “getting very ‘friendly'” with a woman and her toddler at Bradley Woods Reservation along Bradley Road, according to a Westlake police report.
https://fox8.com/news/sex-offender-arrested-after-encounter-at-local-park/  (VIDEO)

▫️Beloit man charged with human trafficking
Dennis Hereford made his initial appearance in Rock County Court this week where Court Commissioner Jack Hoag also ordered that he have no women in his home between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Hereford is accused of running a crack house on Porter Avenue where women had sex for drugs and money while possibly being unknowingly filmed.
A search warrant was executed on Hereford’s home back in December but he wasn’t arrested until last week due to his declining health.
https://www.1059thehog.com/2024/04/26/beloit-man-charged-with-human-trafficking/

▫️Marinette County Man Sentenced to 12 years in Federal Prison for Soliciting Sexually Explicit Images of a Minor
David A. Johnson (age: 37) of Marinette County County, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach.
According to court records, Johnson used various online media platforms to engage in sexual conversations with minors in Florida and Ohio. He requested explicit visual images from the minors and also sent them explicit images of his genitalia. Independently, each minor contacted law enforcement in their respective states. 
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/marinette-county-man-sentenced-12-years-federal-prison-soliciting-sexually-explicit

▫️HSI Dallas Joint Investigation Yields Life Sentence for Texas Man Guilty of Child Sexual Exploitation
DALLAS – A Denton County man was sentenced to life in prison for possessing and sharing child sexual abuse material, announced Homeland Security Investigations Dallas Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mary Magness and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District Texas Damien Diggs.
William Carl Kennedy, 42 was sentenced to life imprisonment for the sexual exploitation of a child, followed by an additional 10 years for penalties for registered sex offenders, to run consecutively.
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/04/26/hsi-dallas-joint-investigation-yields-life-sentence-texas-man-guilty-child-sexual

▫️Park City man charged with child exploitation tried to film kids at local businesses, police say
PARK CITY — A Park City man was charged Friday with possessing child sex abuse material. And investigators say there is evidence he may have been trying to secretly film children in the Park City area.
Jayce John Cade Whiting, 33, is charged in 3rd District Court with sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony. The arresting officer in the case further stated in a police booking affidavit, "I recognized two locations in the videos as being local Park City businesses. One of the businesses has been determined to be Whiting's former place of employment."
https://www.ksl.com/article/50993626/park-city-man-charged-with-child-exploitation-tried-to-film-kids-at-local-businesses-police-say

▫️Coast Guard’s top chaplain fired for failing to act on knowledge of another’s sexual misconduct
The chaplain of the Coast Guard was fired after an investigation found he did not act appropriately when he learned of another chaplain’s sexual misconduct that predated military service, the Coast Guard said Thursday.
Navy Capt. Daniel Mode, a Catholic priest who became the Coast Guard’s top chaplain in April 2022, was reassigned Wednesday to the Navy. The Navy provides chaplains to the Coast Guard and Mode’s career spans both military service branches.
» https://www.stripes.com/branches/coast_guard/2024-04-25/coast-guard-chaplain-navy-fired-13658681.html
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/04/coast-guards-top-chaplain-fired-for-failing-to-act-on-knowledge-of-anothers-sexual-misconduct/

▫️8 children rescued by Coast Guard in Texas
Eight migrant children between the ages of 6 and 13 were rescued as they attempted to cross the Rio Grande river on the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, officials said.
The U.S. Coast Guard was patrolling the area, which is commonly used by migrants looking to cross into the United States, around 8:30 p.m. on April 23, according to an April 26 news release. The crew noticed a raft with one adult and eight children in the river. As they approached the raft, the adult “jumped overboard” and “deflated the raft,” officials said.
» https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article288058955.html
» https://www.borderreport.com/news/coast-guard-rescues-8-migrant-children-in-rio-grande-after-smuggler-jumps-overboard-abandons-them/

▫️Human Trafficking 101 - Internet Safety Tickets, Mon, Jun 3, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Join us for a free program to learn about human trafficking in the Mid-Shore region and beyond, how to recognize signs and symptoms of trafficking and the importance of community awareness in prevention and protecting youth and family safety. 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/human-trafficking-101-internet-safety-tickets-891854028407

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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️6 men arrested in Lawrence on suspicion of purchasing sexual relations
Six men were arrested in Lawrence earlier this week on suspicion of purchasing sexual relations.
The Douglas County Jail booking log shows all six were arrested Thursday at Lawrence Police Department headquarters.
Four of the men are from Lawrence, one from Carbondale and one from Ottawa. They range in age from 24 to 62 years.
When asked about the arrests, Lawrence Police Department spokeswoman Laura McCabe said she could not provide many details but said the arrests were the result of LPD’s investigative unit “working very hard to investigate human trafficking.” to fight.”
“As you can imagine, it is a complex issue involving multiple areas of focus and long-term research,” she told the Journal-World via email. “This particular group of arrests was the result of some of their work to reduce the demand for sex workers, many of whom may be victims of human trafficking. This type of work is still ongoing so I cannot provide more details, but we are proud of the progress and have made six arrests.”
https://www.transforminggov.ca/govca/1kd39344usd19/ 

▫️Woman convicted of child exploitation loses appeal
A Fruita woman convicted in 2016 for sexual servitude and sexual exploitation of a minor lost an appeal to have her conviction and 16-year sentence set aside, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
The woman, Rebecca Jean Franklin, had hired a photographer, Kevin Renfro, to take pictures of a then 13-year-old girl with the intention of submitting them to modeling agencies. Renfro was later convicted on several related counts, and given a 35-year sentence.
https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/woman-convicted-of-child-exploitation-loses-appeal/article_a9b4c8fa-0326-11ef-9092-1fd258554f88.html 

▫️Anchorage man sentenced to over 17 years for child pornography charges
According to court documents, Australian law enforcement discovered Michael Whitmore, 31, was distributing child sexual abuse images on an encrypted social media application. Australian law enforcement referred the case to the FBI and Anchorage Police Department.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison and will serve the rest of his life on supervised release for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials.
In March 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Whitmore’s residence and discovered over 4,100 images and 2,200 videos on his devices, with some visuals depicting prepubescent minors. The investigation determined that Whitmore was an active member of at least 82 messaging groups used to exchange child sexual abuse materials on various applications.
https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2024/04/28/anchorage-man-sentenced-to-over-17-years-for-child-pornography-charges/ 

▫️UPDATE: GBI opens investigation into human trafficking case following WTOC Investigation
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - We have an update on a WTOC investigates story.
After our investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has now opened an investigation into the case of 13 Chinese nationals that say they were traffic to Savannah.
The men reported their situation to the Savannah Police Department after they say they were promised housing, transportation, and $18 an hour to work at a warehouse.
But after a month of work, they didn’t receive pay.
The GBI tells WTOC that this morning, after our story speaking with the men aired, the Savannah Police Department requested that a formal investigation be opened into the situation.
https://www.wtoc.com/2024/04/27/update-gbi-opens-investigation-into-human-trafficking-case-following-wtoc-investigation/   (VIDEO) 

▫️Three arrested on human trafficking or child neglect charges related to previous arrests for lewd/lascivious battery on 15-year-old girl
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A new charge against Mariam Foster, 42, has revealed more details about the trafficking of a 15-year-old girl that resulted in the previous arrests of Donovan Grimes and Darren Sheppard for lewd/lascivious battery.
According to the arrest report charging Foster with child neglect, the victim disclosed in a trauma-informed interview that she was trafficked by Allison Reshena Berry, 42. Berry was arrested on April 11 and charged with human trafficking of a child under 18, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and child neglect, but no further information was available at that time, due to the nature of the charges.
https://alachuachronicle.com/three-arrested-on-human-trafficking-or-child-neglect-charges-related-to-previous-arrests-for-lewd-lascivious-battery-on-15-year-old-girl/ 

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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News

▫️Wanted: Repeated child sexual abuser on the run, according to Houston police, reward  $5000
HOUSTON - Menfil Amilcar Lopez Vasquez is wanted by Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department Special Victims Division for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.
Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. 
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/wanted-repeated-child-sexual-abuser-on-the-run-according-to-houston-police  (VIDEO) 

▫️Police looking for suspect involved in abduction of Shannon Scott
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — MPD has announced that the victim, Shannon Scott, has been found.
Police are looking for Joseph Brown, 32, a man they say is involved in the abduction of Shannon Scott. Brown has known ties in Desoto County, Mississippi.
https://wreg.com/news/police-looking-for-suspect-involved-in-abduction-of-shannon-scott/ 

▫️Police seek potential victims of Lansdowne man who allegedly said he sexually abused child
A Landsdowne man suspected of possessing child pornography discussed trafficking children for sex and is connected to a cheerleading club, according to police in Florida and Virginia.
The Virginia State Police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are seeking information on Jason Robert Fragale, who they said "has ties" to "The Crimson All-Star Cheerleading Club." The club is registered in Florida and Virginia and has an office in Reston, according to an April 25 news release from Florida police. "Fragale is believed to have contacted juveniles through messaging apps, and he may have victims in Florida," the release said.
Anyone with information on Fragale is asked to contact Bullock at 703-344-7290 or at questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Florida Special Agent Georgie Torres may be contacted at 407-245-0888 or at georgietorres@fdle.state.fl.us
https://www.loudountimes.com/0local-or-not/1local/police-seek-potential-victims-of-lansdowne-man-who-allegedly-said-he-sexually-abused-child/article_7f0d72b6-0423-11ef-946f-b7381b925144.html  

▫️Several TX Teachers Arrested for Sex Crimes
This week’s influx of scandals involving educators from San Antonio, Perryton, Houston, and Arlington may prompt further calls to action.
In San Antonio, Andrew Carter McCown, a former Robinson High School coach and teacher, is facing possible legal consequences after being accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student from Roosevelt High School.
Meanwhile, in Perryton, a former athletic director and head football coach, Cole Underwood, was arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child on Thursday, per The Amarillo Globe-News. The victim is said to be a Perryton High School student under the age of 17.
Last Friday, Michael Bourquin, a teacher at the Houston-area charter Mangum Elementary School, was arrested for allegedly soliciting a minor for sex online. 
Although an arrest has not yet been made, an unnamed teacher was terminated this Tuesday after the Mansfield ISD school board moved to do so “out of an abundance of caution” after disturbing allegations came to light, a district representative said in a statement to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The unidentified teacher allegedly had a relationship with at least one student at Timberview High School in Arlington. 
https://dallasexpress.com/education/several-tx-teachers-arrested-for-sex-crimes/ 

▫️‘A game of inches’: How Oregon State Police rescued 1-year-old in Amber Alert manhunt (UPDATE)
PORTLAND, Ore. — Following a pursuit that ended with a suspected killer taking his own life, West Richland, Wash. police held a press conference Wednesday morning to share more details in the Elias Huizar double-murder and kidnapping case.
Elias Huizar ultimately shot and killed himself after a chase and shootout with police. His 1-year-old son was in the car during the pursuit. During the conference, officials revealed Rodriguez was a para-educator at the elementary school at the time of her death, and the 17-year-old girl, Angelica Santos, was shot and killed in a local residence.
» https://www.koin.com/news/crime/amber-alert-latest-west-richland-police-briefing-wednesday-morning-042242024/ (VIDEO)
 » https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/oregon-state-troopers-reveal-rescue-child-manhunt-amber-alert-double-murder-suspect/283-c997e3a4-8c41-40ca-ae7b-817a2cf4e77b  (VIDEO)
»

▫️Alleged Boston sex trafficker facing new charges, DA says
John Jamar Cokley, 38 faces a dangerousness hearing on Monday after he was arraigned in Dorchester District Court on sex trafficking of a person under 18, rape of a child by force, three counts of aggravated statutory rape, posing a child in a state of sexual conduct, two counts of causing a minor to distribute a drug and possession of child pornography.
Assistant District Attorney Ashley Polin said Cokley sexually exploited three teens using the app Instagram.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/alleged-boston-sex-trafficker-facing-new-charges-da-says/B5JHQLUQ5JFGDKKZSVJPA3MSVA/
» https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/04/28/boston-man-charged-with-sex-trafficking-teenagers/ 

▫️High Point man charged with rape, human trafficking of underage girl, court documents show
HIGH POINT, N.C.  — A man has been charged with multiple sex crimes in High Point, according to court documents.
Joseph Dominick Santora, 43, of High Point, was charged with three crimes, all involving an underage victim. He has been charged with first-degree forcible rape, human trafficking of a child and sexual servitude of a child.
https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/high-point-man-charged-with-rape-human-trafficking-of-underage-girl-court-documents-show/ 

▫️Mechanicville man pleads guilty to rape, sexual conduct against a child
A Mechanicville man pleaded guilty to rape and sexual conduct against a child and is expected to face nearly 30 years in prison.
According to a press release from Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen’s office, Ryan M. Jewett, 32, pleaded guilty in Saratoga County Court before Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III to one count of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child, a Class B violent felony and one count of Rape in the second degree, a Class D violent felony.
It is anticipated Jewett will be sentenced to a term of 29 years in a state correctional facility, to be followed by 20 years of post-release supervision, and mandatory sex offender registration, the release said.
https://www.saratogian.com/2024/04/28/mechanicville-man-pleads-guilty-to-rape-sexual-conduct-against-a-child/ 

▫️Oregon man indicted in Eugene over alleged sexual abuse of multiple children
A man was indicted at a U.S. District Court in Eugene on Wednesday after allegedly abusing multiple children in Oregon.
The man, identified as a 39-year-old from North Bend, was charged with attempting to use a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct and attempting to coerce and entice a minor.
According to court documents, the man on or about Jan. 20, 2024, is alleged to have knowingly and intentionally persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct and record the conduct.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Eugene said the crimes involving one minor are a part of a broader series of similar abusive crimes the man is suspected to have committed involving other children around the same time.
https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/crime/2024/04/28/oregon-man-indicted-in-eugene-over-alleged-sexual-child-abuse/73453296007/ 

▫️Canton man sentenced in Asheville federal court for child pornography offenses
ASHEVILLE — A Canton man will serve about 32 years in federal prison after he traveled to Fort Mill, South Carolina, to engage in illicit sex acts with a minor while being a registered sex offender, Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, said in a news statement.
Michael John Worley, 51, was sentenced April 25 in WNC’s federal court in Asheville, after he pleaded guilty in March of last year to attempting to use a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography, according to the news release from King’s Office.
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/04/29/canton-man-sentenced-for-child-sex-charge-in-asheville-federal-court/73459214007/ 

▫️Registered Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to 14 Charges for Producing, Transporting and Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
BANGOR, Maine: A West Gardiner man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to 14 charges relating to the production, transportation and distribution of child sexual abuse material, as well as failing to register as a sex offender.
According to court records, on August 29, 2022, Maine State Police executed a search warrant in West Gardiner on the person of Jon A. Hall, 30. In the search, they seized an iPhone belonging to Hall, and child sexual abuse material was recovered from that phone. Some of the images and video files depicted Hall sexually abusing a young child while earlier living in another state.
Jon A. Hall from West Gardiner faces minimum of 25 years in federal prison.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/registered-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-14-charges-producing-transporting-and-distributing 

▫️Oxford Man Charged With Sexually Exploiting Minor
Michael Lamountain, 41, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, one count of sex trafficking of a minor and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Lamountain is currently in state custody on related offenses and will appear in federal court in Worcester on April 30, 2024.
According to the charging documents, on July 19, 2023, Lamountain sex trafficked a minor victim and coerced the minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. It is further alleged that Lamountain coerced three other minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. 
https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2024/04/27/oxford-man-charged-with-sexually-exploiting-minor/ 

▫️FBI’s $139M settlement with Larry Nassar victims breathes life into Epstein accusers lawsuit
The FBI’s $139 million settlement with more than a hundred victims of the disgraced Dr. Larry Nassar could set a precedent that would lift the chances of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers to prevail in a similar lawsuit, experts say.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/fbis-139m-settlement-larry-nassar-victims-breathes-life-epstein-accusers-lawsuit   (VIDEO)

▫️Former Democrat State Senator Given One Year in Prison For Molesting Teen Boy
Former Arizona State Senator Otoniel Navarette received a sentence of one year in prison for molesting a teen boy in his care. The victim was abused between the ages of 13 and 15 while living with the former state senator.
The trial was Navarette’s second on sexual-abuse charges. The first trial, which involved two victims and six felony counts, had to be abandoned after the jury couldn’t agree on a verdict.
» https://www.infowars.com/posts/former-democrat-state-senator-given-one-year-in-prison-for-molesting-teen-boy/
» https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4234289/posts 

▫️U.S. Marshals Announce the Start of Operation Silver Shield
Interagency Partnership Seeks to Arrest Fugitive Sex Offenders and Recover Critically Missing Children.
Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and task force partners in the District of Maryland are initiating a large-scale, public safety initiative. ‘Operation Silver Shield’ is a 90-day interagency operation designed to improve public safety by targeting non-compliant sex offenders and fugitives wanted for associated offense conduct. The goal of this operation, which runs from May through August, is to protect the community by prioritizing the recovery of critically missing children and arresting those offenders who pose the greatest risk to public safety.
Anyone with information on a non-compliant/wanted sex offender, violent fugitive, or critically missing child is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office at 1-866-4WANTED or USMS Tips.
https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/press-release/us-marshals-announce-start-of-operation-silver-shield 

▫️FBI investigating Two by Twos for historical child sexual abuse claims, including in Australia
In February in the United States, the FBI launched a probe into the group after widescale reports of abuse were publicised by the BBC earlier this year.
A hotline for former members who have experienced sexual abuse within the sect in Australia and New Zealand has received allegations involving about 130 separate people.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-28/fbi-investigating-historical-sex-abuse-claims-against-two-by-two/103767698
US Hotline: (503) 386-4634 - https://www.advocatesforthetruth.com/
AU Hotline: 0489 994566 - https://thebravetruthaunz.org/ 

▫️Human Trafficking Presentation | ELAC - Monday, April 29, 2024, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Join us for a series of empowering events throughout April as ELAC (East Los Angeles College) observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) with our dedicated team, the Sexual Assault Awareness Violence Education Team (SAAVE). Throughout the month, we're offering a range of workshops, talks, and activities aimed at raising awareness, providing resources, and educating our community on preventing and responding to sexual violence.
Educate yourself about the realities of human trafficking. Learn how to recognize and combat this form of exploitation in our society.
https://www.elac.edu/campus-life/events/2024/4/29/human-trafficking-presentation 

▫️Meet and Greet - Hope Against Trafficking - 15 Mark Ave, Pontiac, MI - 9:00 am - 10:30 am, June 13, 2024
Join us for an engaging morning at our upcoming Meet and Greet event, dedicated to spreading awareness and fostering community support for the fight against human trafficking. This event offers a unique opportunity to:
Learn: Participate in a brief presentation that sheds light on the mission and impact of Hope Against Trafficking.
Connect: Mingle with like-minded individuals who are committed to the cause.
Experience: Take an exclusive tour of one of our residential homes.
https://hopeagainsttrafficking.org/e/june-13-2024-meet-and-greet 

▫️Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Program (April 2024 - Rescheduled) Tickets, Mon, 6 May 2024 at 6:00 PM - 2 hour seminar
VSDR empowers parents and community members with psycho-education through interactive workshops on human trafficking. Our workshops help you understand how to recognize risk factors and early red flags, to prevent youth from being trafficked.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sex-trafficking-education-and-prevention-program-april-2024-rescheduled-tickets-873448266277 

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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Morgan sheriff: Three men charged with traveling to meet a child for sex
The Morgan County Sheriff's Office on Friday arrested three men and charged them with electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Two men from Decatur — Drayton Shawn Tolliver, 37, and Corey DeWayne Wynn Sr., 49 — as well as Danville resident Jeremy Scott Peek, 31, were booked into Morgan County Jail and held in lieu of $250,000 bonds, according to MCSO.
»

» https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/news/local/local-trio-in-morgan-county-charged-with-electronic-solicitation-of-a-child/525-01626f71-c79a-4586-8b40-f0b45a0c3475
» https://www.waaytv.com/news/3-arrested-following-child-sex-trafficking-operation-in-morgan-county/article_d399fe94-0644-11ef-91d9-370f69cf19df.html

▫️Alleged sexual assault victim confesses to murder in South Nashville, TN
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – A 19-year-old is being charged with murder after officials said he admitted to killing a man Friday night in South Nashville.
Authorities said 19-year-old Jahir Hernandez met Palafox-Garcia Friday night “for the purpose of killing him.”  
He reportedly described the murder as retaliation after Palafox-Garcia allegedly sexually assaulted him years ago, which was unreported to law enforcement.
» https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/alleged-sexual-assault-victim-confesses-to-murder-in-south-nashville/ (VIDEO)
» https://seespotrun.info/latest-post/2024/04/alleged-sexual-assault-victim-confesses-to-murder-in-south-nashville-tennessee/ 

▫️Mint Butterfield found: Man charged with child abduction in Marin
Man arrested for child abduction after teen child of billionaire tech entrepreneurs found in van 6 days after running away.
The 16-year-old child of two tech founders was rescued from the streets of San Francisco almost a week after leaving home in Marin County with a man now charged with abducting the teen.
Mint Butterfield was located around 11;30 p.m. Saturday in the Tenderloin, where San Francisco cops say they found the teen in a white van with 26-year-old Christopher "Kio" Dizefalo.
» https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/28/mint-butterfield-found-san-francisco/
» https://dailycaller.com/2024/04/29/missing-child-mint-stewart-butterfield-slack-flickr-founder-van-family-friend/ 

▫️Oklahoma couple accused of filming sexual abuse of child
LE FLORE COUNTY, Okla. — A LeFlore County couple is facing charges of filming the sexual abuse of their 5-year-old daughter and sharing it over Snapchat, according to court documents.
Armondo Palma and Brooklyn Wilson were arrested on April 17, 2024, on multiple different child sex abuse charges after one witness told authorities that Palma had sent her videos over Snapchat of him sexually abusing his daughter.
During a search of Palma and Wilson's house in Howe, special agents reportedly seized a device owned by Wilson that had multiple graphic videos depicting the sexual abuse of their child.
https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/crime/police-leflore-couple-arrested-for-videotaping-abuse-child/527-7e831b95-45e5-4851-b09e-287611835b8f 

▫️WATCH | Sandy Springs police arrest kidnapping suspect at hiking trail, Victim rescued after suspect vehicle detected by license plate readers
Sandy Springs police released video footage Monday of a dramatic arrest at a popular hiking destination after a kidnapping suspect and victim were located by license plate readers.
The rescue took place Wednesday afternoon after officers were alerted of a suspected kidnapping in another jurisdiction when the car involved was detected by license plate-reading devices in Sandy Springs, police said. 
» https://www.yahoo.com/news/video-shows-police-track-down-010210779.html  (VIDEO)
» https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/watch-sandy-springs-police-arrest-kidnapping-suspect-at-hiking-trail/BPTVQQGP6NAQZIRYFYVMMYGKCY/ 

▫️North Bergen man charged with human trafficking after sexually assaulting 13-year-old: prosecutor
A North Bergen man met a 13-year-old girl at a local park and then convinced her to take money in exchange for sex, authorities said.
Henry Sunun Sutuj, 24, was arrested at his home by the The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit April 26, less than a week after he sexually assaulted the teen at a North Bergen motel, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.
Sunun Sutuj was charged with first-degree human trafficking, two counts of first-degree promoting child prostitution, engaging in prostitution with a minor, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault and criminal sexual contact.
» http://bronx.news12.com/prosecutor-man-faces-human-trafficking-charges-following-assault-of-13-year-old-girl   (VIDEO)
» https://www.nj.com/hudson/2024/04/north-bergen-man-charged-with-human-trafficking-after-sexually-assaulting-13-year-old-prosecutor.html 

▫️High Point man arrested, charged for rape and human trafficking
HIGH POINT, N.C. — A High Point man is facing rape and human trafficking charges, according to police. 
Officers arrested 43-year-old Joseph Santora Friday just before 10 a.m. The charges stem from a sexual assault reported to the High Point Police Department earlier this year.
On Feb. 1, 2024, officers responded to a call about sexual assault. Detectives spoke to the 16-year-old victim, who said she met a man online and went to meet him. 
https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/crime/high-point-man-facing-rape-human-trafficking-charges/83-d30d9504-36f1-4aee-b9ea-72d3a5f96ea9 

▫️ERO New Orleans investigation leads to convicted child sexual abuser’s indictment for naturalization, passport fraud | ICE
GULFPORT, Miss. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans officers initiated an investigation that led to the indictment of a convicted child sexual abuser.
On April 23, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging former Mexican citizen Felix Aguilar-Matias with naturalization and passport fraud. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years of imprisonment per count as well as the automatic revocation of his U.S. citizenship.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-new-orleans-investigation-leads-convicted-child-sexual-abusers-indictment 

▫️Kent Co. massage parlor owner arraigned on prostitution charges
The woman accused of running an illicit massage parlor in Kent County was arraigned Monday.
Edith Amanda Corbett is the owner of Just Divine, a massage parlor on Plainfield Avenue in Grand Rapids. Corbett is accused of running a pay-for-sex operation out of her business.
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d74lWOCZBMw   (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kent/new-info-court-docs-detail-plainfield-twp-massage-parlor-prostitution-arrest   (VIDEO) 

▫️North Carolina man charged with human trafficking, rape after juvenile reported missing
Officers arrested 43-year-old Joseph Santora Friday just before 10 a.m. The charges stem from a sexual assault reported to the High Point Police Department earlier this year.
On Feb. 1, 2024, officers responded to a call about sexual assault. Detectives spoke to the 16-year-old victim, who said she met a man online and went to meet him. 
The victim did not know the man's real name. Investigation revealed the suspect as Santora.
This is still an active investigation. 
» https://www.wxii12.com/article/north-carolina-man-charged-human-trafficking-rape-missing-person-case/60637561   (VIDEO)
»  https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/crime/high-point-man-facing-rape-human-trafficking-charges/83-d30d9504-36f1-4aee-b9ea-72d3a5f96ea9
»

▫️Man accused of human trafficking in Palm Beach County
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man in connection to human trafficking.
Carl Paul, 25, was arrested April 24 and charged with human trafficking, structure for prostitution and two counts of living off earnings from prostitution.
https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-man-accused-human-trafficking-palm-beach-county/60637366 

▫️Former coach, MLB outfielder gets 9 years for child solicitation, seduction
FORT WAYNE, Ind.  - A former high school coach and Major League Baseball outfielder was sentenced to nine years in prison for child sexual abuse charges on Friday.
Dustan Mohr, 47, was originally charged with child solicitation, child seduction, sexual misconduct with a minor and dissemination of matter harmful to minors in August 2023. In March 2024, he pleaded guilty to child solicitation, child seduction and sexual misconduct with a minor in exchange for the dissemination charge being dropped.
Mohr was also ordered to pay more than $13,300 to two people.
» https://www.wdam.com/2024/04/28/former-pine-belt-baseball-standout-sentenced-9-years-child-sexual-abuse-charges/ (VIDEO)
» https://www.weau.com/2024/04/28/former-coach-mlb-outfielder-gets-9-years-child-solicitation-seduction/ 

▫️Molloy sentences ex-coach to 35 years for rape of students
Alfredo Bruce Smith has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for raping students at Charlotte Amalie High School, but his crimes continue to raise questions about the school system that allowed a child predator to operate unchecked.
“The community failed these kids. It’s troubling how this was allowed to happen for 15 years,” U.S. District Court Chief Judge Robert Molloy said at Smith’s sentencing Friday.
Smith, 53, was a track coach and hall monitor, and used his authority to groom and rape male students from the time he started working at the school in 2006. At least a dozen victims were identified over the course of a federal investigation that began in April 2021.
https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/molloy-sentences-ex-coach-to-35-years-for-rape-of-students/article_5744aa95-0967-5e16-ab64-98efce71f969.html 

▫️Mercedes man convicted of aggravated sexual assault against a child
MERCEDES, Texas  – A man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Miles Pena, 36, was sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child and 10 years for assault on a family member.
https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/mercedes-man-sentenced-for-aggravated-sexual-assault-of-a-child/ 

▫️Canton man sentenced for child sex charge in Asheville federal court
ASHEVILLE — A Canton man will serve about 32 years in federal prison after he traveled to Fort Mill, South Carolina, to engage in illicit sex acts with a minor while being a registered sex offender, Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, said in a news statement.
Michael John Worley, 51, was sentenced April 25 in WNC’s federal court in Asheville, after he pleaded guilty in March of last year to attempting to use a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography, according to the news release from King’s Office.
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/04/29/canton-man-sentenced-for-child-sex-charge-in-asheville-federal-court/73459214007/ 

▫️Couple in Burlington County convicted of forced labor and other federal crimes
A Burlington County, New Jersey, couple was convicted of forced labor and other crimes related to their coercive scheme to compel two victims to perform domestic labor and childcare in their home, harbor the victims knowing that they were unlawfully present in the United States and unlawfully confiscate the victims’ passports.
Bolaji Bolarinwa, 50, was found guilty of two counts of forced labor, one count of alien harboring for financial gain and two counts of document servitude following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court. The jury also convicted Isiaka Bolarinwa, 67, of two counts of forced labor and one count of alien harboring for financial gain.
“These defendants engaged in an egregious bait-and-switch, luring the victims with false promises of a life and an education in the United States, and instead subjected them to grueling hours, physical abuse and psychological abuse,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said.
https://www.trentonian.com/2024/04/29/couple-in-burlington-county-convicted-of-forced-labor-and-other-federal-crimes/ 

▫️Accused child rapist and human trafficker facing murder-for-hire charges, HCSO says
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - An accused child rapist and human trafficker is now facing murder-for-hire charges while inside the Hernando County Detention Center.
Deputies said while incarcerated, 57-year-old James Houllis sought out someone to commit the murder of at least one witness from a July 2023 case in exchange for a few things.
https://www.fox13news.com/news/accused-child-rapist-and-human-trafficker-facing-murder-for-hire-charges-hcso-says   (VIDEO) 

▫️DCPS maintenance worker charged with 5 felonies related to the solicitation of a minor
DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested a Duval County Public Schools district maintenance employee on five charges related to the solicitation of a minor.
Kevin Bryan Pearce, 58, was hired by the district in December 2017.

▫️South Carolina man sentenced to federal prison for exploiting, abusing sex workers
A South Carolina man has been sentenced to federal prison for, among other charges, human trafficking conspiracy.
According to the United States Department of Justice South Carolina District, Eric Rashun Jones, 31, of Newberry, pleaded guilty to human trafficking conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and witness tampering.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Jones to 40 years, to be followed by a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision, no contact with victims and $65,000 in restitution payable to eight victims.
Jones’ co-defendant, Brittany Cromer, previously pleaded guilty to human trafficking conspiracy, and was sentenced to five years earlier this month.
» https://www.abccolumbia.com/2024/04/29/newberry-man-found-guilty-of-human-trafficking-to-be-sentenced-in-federal-court/
» https://www.coladaily.com/midlands/newberry-man-to-serve-40-years-in-prison-for-violently-exploiting-women-in-sex-trade/article_b237e02a-0646-11ef-9c31-eb66c9cc2694.html
» https://www.wjcl.com/article/newberry-south-carolina-eric-rashun-jones-prison/60638776 

▫️Group says Lucas County Prosecutor needs to do better job protecting child victims of sexual assault
The group Justice for Lucas County Children of Sexual Assault spent their Saturday talking with passers-by about child sexual abuse.
https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/ohio/advocacy-group-wants-lucas-county-prosecutor-to-better-protect-child-victims-of-sexual-assault/512-03abc0ee-dd80-4eaa-b3a1-02cc5cc92247   (VIDEO) 

▫️Texas program marks 15 years of protecting children from harm
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is celebrating the 15-year anniversary of its Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) program this month. The program, launched by DPS in April 2009, equips front-line officers with the skills to identify children who may be victims, at risk of victimization or missing, and to spot individuals who could pose a significant threat to a child.
» https://www.newschannel6now.com/2024/04/29/dps-celebrates-15-years-protecting-at-risk-children/
» https://www.mytexasdaily.com/south-texas/texas-program-marks-15-years-of-protecting-children-from-harm/article_5d7a086b-2620-568b-9715-783ed67cc69b.html 

▫️Peoria mothers condemn school district after coach arrested, accused of sexual conduct with minors
Nine concerned Peoria mothers stood outside the Peoria Unified School District building Thursday condemning administrators after a former Peoria teacher and a coach were arrested on charges of sexual conduct with minors in the last month.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/peoria/2024/04/26/peoria-moms-condemn-district-after-coaches-arrested-for-misconduct/73460071007/ 

▫️Kane County agencies to hold summit on human trafficking
Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and community organizations will hold a human trafficking summit from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 11 at the Christ Community Church at 820 S. Randall Road in South Elgin.
https://www.shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle/2024/04/29/kane-county-agencies-to-hold-summit-on-human-trafficking/ 

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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Operation Seminole Saber: 27 children rescued in 5-week operation in Tampa Bay area
TAMPA, Fla. - The U.S. Marshals Service just completed a five-week operation to rescue critically at-risk children in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
A multi-agency task force, dubbed “Operation Seminole Saber” rescued 27 children from potential trafficking and other dangerous situations.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Mario Price said the task force was focused on one primary mission. “The ultimate purpose of the operation is to recover missing children,” Price said.
» https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/27-children-rescued-in-5-week-operation-in-tampa-bay-area/ (VIDEO)
 » https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/eight-individuals-charged-attempted-child-enticement-resulting-operation-red-rover
»

▫️The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was attempting to serve a warrant on Galway Drive in east Charlotte Monday afternoon when shots were fired, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. In total eight officers were shot during the encounter, with four of them dying. Another officer from Statesville, also on the task force, was also hurt.
The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force is made up of several agencies in the Charlotte area. The United States Marshals Service currently leads 56 local fugitive task forces nationwide.
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFlJDNPgWe4
» https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/us-marshal-fugitive-task-force-charlotte-north-carolina/275-53304d72-60f3-40c7-ac40-fd3e565246d6 

▫️Operation Red Rover: 8 arrested by feds in Operation Red Rover, an online sexual predator sting
MACON, Ga. - Eight people in Georgia are facing federal charges for attempting to coerce and entice a child for sex following Operation Red Rover. The operation targeted online child predators. 
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all were indicted during the February sting where investigators say they attempted to meet children "online to engage in sexually explicit acts." A grand jury returned those indictments during the following two months.
» https://youtu.be/0hk-5LovF9I
» https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/8-arrested-by-feds-in-operation-red-rover-an-online-sexual-predator-sting
» https://www.41nbc.com/5-from-middle-georgia-charged-in-operation-to-catch-online-child-predators/ (VIDEO)

▫️San Jose brothel busted, man arrested for pimping, 2 survivors
An investigation was launched by the SJPD Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF). The investigation revealed Zhiqiang Liu, 53, of Rosemead as the primary suspect, police said.
Two women identified as trafficking survivors were present at the scene and provided resources.
» https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-jose-police-arrest-man-on-pimping-charges-after-uncovering-brothel
» https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/san-jose-brothel-busted-man-arrested-for-pimping/ 

▫️Allen County Sheriff’s Department asking for help locating man, woman wanted on trafficking charges
FORT WAYNE, Ind.  - The Allen County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help locating a Fort Wayne man and woman wanted on sex trafficking charges.
Followell is charged with promotion of human sexual trafficking, possession of child pornography and sexual misconduct with a minor. Depoister is facing charges of promotion of human sexual trafficking and child exploitation.
Police allegedly found video of the sexual abuse after executing a search warrant for the defendant’s electronic devices, court documents say.
ACSD asks those with information on Followell and Depoister’s whereabouts to make an anonymous tip by calling 26-436-7867 or going online to https://www.p3tips.com/Drill.aspx. Those with information may be eligible for a cash reward.
https://www.21alivenews.com/2024/04/30/allen-county-sheriffs-department-asking-help-locating-man-woman-wanted-trafficking-charges/ 

▫️Police charge church worker with child sexual exploitation
ROSWELL, Ga. — A Johns Creek man who worked closely with children at Dunwoody Baptist Church has been arrested by Roswell Police and charged with nine counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials.
The Roswell Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit arrested a 59-year-old Johns Creek resident Ralph Britt Jr. on multiple charges of sexual exploitation of children.
According to an April 30 statement, detectives began an investigation in February into child sexual abuse material transmitted locally through peer-to-peer file sharing networks. 
» https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2024/04/30/man-who-worked-with-children-in-dunwoody-charged-with-possession-of-child-sexual-abuse-materials/
» https://www.appenmedia.com/alpharetta_roswell/police-charge-church-worker-with-child-sexual-exploitation/article_85e47694-072e-11ef-9fcb-8b47f13ff376.html 

▫️Anne Arundel County volunteer softball coach arrested on child sex abuse charges
BALTIMORE - A 47-year-old man who spent two practices volunteering for an Annapolis high school softball team was arrested on child sex abuse charges.
Donald Powell is facing charges of sex abuse of a minor, fourth-degree sex offense by position/person of authority and second-degree assault.
https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/anne-arundel-county-volunteer-softball-coach-arrested-on-child-sex-abuse-charges/ 

▫️Ex-Delray Beach basketball coach faces charges for sexually assaulting player
A former Grove Park Elementary School employee and middle school basketball coach was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday as he faces charges of sexual battery against a minor he met while coaching the student from 2020 to 2022.
Torrey Evans, 36, is accused of creating a fake social media profile to get a middle school boy to send him nude photos and then using the photos to blackmail the student into having sex with him. It began when the boy was 16 years old in 2020 and continued up until just weeks before Evans was arrested in October 2022, according to the police report.
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/education/2024/05/01/ex-delray-beach-basketball-faces-charges-for-sexually-assaulting-player/73339141007/ 

▫️Labor trafficking investigation in West Michigan leads to criminal charges
A joint investigation by state and federal law enforcement officers resulted in criminal charges. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges against three people at a press conference Tuesday.
Nessel's office says the victim started working at the convenience store shortly after coming to Michigan, but allegedly never got paid for her work. The family is accused of making the victim work eight to nine hours a day, seven days a week, against her will and under the threat of severe physical, mental and emotional abuse.
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpwAJY_zo2I   (VIDEO)
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrW_NJ9mnlc   (VIDEO)
» https://youtu.be/98QrGwsNWog  (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/kalamazoo/labor-trafficking-investigation-in-west-michigan-leads-to-criminal-charges
» https://www.sturgisjournal.com/story/news/crime/2024/04/30/three-rivers-residents-charged-with-labor-trafficking-woman-for-8-years/73517271007/

▫️Phoenix cop accused of possessing child porn appears in court
PHOENIX — A Phoenix police officer accused of receiving and possessing thousands of images of child pornography remains detained by the U.S. Marshals Service. 
Alaa Bartley, 41, was in court next to his attorney Tuesday for the first time since he couldn't be transported to court a couple of weeks ago. 12News was told Bartley was not transported to his court hearing because of medical reasons. 
Federal court documents reveal the FBI found 49,000 images and more than 700 videos, many of which were identified as child pornography. 
https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/phoenix-police-officer-facing-child-pornography-charges-to-remain-detained-by-us-marshal-service/75-e85396e5-7651-43a0-98dd-61dcb918accb 

▫️Roseville CA Olympian convicted of child sex abuse with teens
A Placer County jury last week found a Roseville wrestling coach and former Olympian guilty of sexually abusing underage teen athletes while training them as part of a sports business at his home.
Quincey Lee Clark, 51, on Thursday was convicted of 19 counts of child sexual abuse including charges of committing lewd acts on a child, sexual battery by restraint and forced oral copulation, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office announced in a news release.
Clark worked as a wrestling coach and ran a sports training business out of his Roseville home, police officials have said. Clark was a member of USA Wrestling and competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article288160680.html 

▫️Abuse allegations against former Olympic rower, coach found to be credible, US Rowing probe says
NEW YORK  - U.S. Rowing stripped honors from a two-time Olympic medalist and nine-time Olympic coach after an investigation found allegations that he sexually abused a teenager more than 50 years ago to be credible.
The federation on Tuesday released a 154-page report on Ted Nash, who died in 2021. The report said Jennifer Fox's allegations that Nash had groomed and sexually abused her in 1973 were believable. They met that year at a horseback-riding camp where Nash was teaching when he was 40 and Fox was 13.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-13369345/Abuse-allegations-against-former-Olympic-rower-coach-credible-US-Rowing-probe-says.html 

▫️Former FDIC attorney sentenced after sexually exploiting children for years
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) attorney was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for conspiring to sexually exploit numerous children.
According to court documents, from January 2018 to October 2021, Mark Black, 50, of Arlington, Virginia, was a member of two online groups dedicated to locating prepubescent girls online and convincing the girls to livestream themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Black and his co-conspirators covertly recorded these livestreams and share the videos with each other.
Black also was formerly the Arlington Aquatic Club (AAC) board president.
» https://www.fox5dc.com/news/arlington-aquatic-clubs-former-president-sentenced-to-20-years-in-prison-for-sexually-exploiting-kids-online   (VIDEO)
» https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-fdic-attorney-sentenced-after-sexually-exploiting-children-years
» https://cayman.loopnews.com/content/former-federal-attorney-gets-20-years-sexually-exploiting-children 

▫️Buffalo man receives 32 years-to-life for sexual assault against child
BUFFALO, N.Y.  — A Buffalo man has received the maximum sentence for predatory sexual assault against a child, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
In late August 2016, 51-year-old Steven Burr subjected a girl younger than 13 years old to sexual contact, authorities said. Then, between or around September 2016 and February 2018, Burr engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct and sexual intercourse with the same victim, they said. The victim was known to him.
https://www.wivb.com/news/crime/buffalo-man-receives-32-years-to-life-for-sexual-assault-against-child/   (VIDEO) 

▫️Court docs: Parents stop attempted kidnapping of teen in Bothell
Fernando Rojas is in a Snohomish County jail Tuesday, charged with attempted first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault and harassment. According to court documents obtained by KING 5, Rojas is accused of attempting to kidnap a teenage girl right in front of her parents. 
Those documents show that on Friday, April 26, around 1:30 p.m., police were called to Frank Love Elementary school – a father reported that a man attacked his daughter and tried to drag her away. The girl’s mother and father were able to stop this from happening.

▫️Former state worker sentenced to 25 years in prison for kidnapping, sexually assaulting woman in his care
A former state crisis worker who kidnapped a disabled woman in his care, drove her in a state van to a dead-end road near a cemetery in Aumsville and sexually assaulted her was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in federal prison.
“I cannot put into words how horrible this offense is,” U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernandez said. “It is simply too much. His victim was like a child. His victim trusted him.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin W. Bruce urged a 30-year prison term after Zakary Glover pleaded guilty in January to depriving the woman of her liberty. Glover’s defense lawyer, Peyton Lee, argued for a 10-year sentence.
https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/04/former-state-worker-sentenced-to-25-years-in-prison-for-kidnapping-sexually-assaulting-woman-in-his-care.html 

▫️N.O. Archdiocese is target of child sex trafficking investigation
NEW ORLEANS — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans is the target of a child sex trafficking investigation, according to a sweeping and unprecedented search warrant Louisiana State Police recently served on an organization that for decades has been submerged in the global church’s clergy molestation scandal. 
The clerk at the state criminal courthouse where the warrant was signed released the 11-page document Tuesday. It makes clear that troopers involved in a pending rape prosecution against one priest came to suspect that case was part of a broader pattern of “widespread sexual abuse of minors dating back decades” that was “covered up and not reported to law enforcement”. 
In a stunning assertion made under oath, troopers said they had already recovered documents that “back” the notion that “previous archbishops, the highest-ranking official in the archdiocese, not only knew of the sexual abuse and failed to report all the claims to law enforcement, but spent archdiocese funding to support the accused”. 
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/investigations/david-hammer/new-orleans-sex-trafficking-investigation-archdiocese-target-search-warrant/289-8b1a1db1-1290-4f94-9ff2-7d68ebddcb08  (VIDEO) 

▫️Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Discuss Competing Bills, Strategies
Advocates from across California are challenging state officials and community leaders to support legislation that provides resources and services for survivors and victims of human trafficking, as well as assistance as they transition back into civil society. 
Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.
According to the FBI, a report covering a two-year period found Black children accounted for 57% of all juvenile arrests for prostitution. In addition, 40% of sex trafficking victims were Black and 60% of those victims had been enrolled in the foster care system.
https://sacobserver.com/2024/05/anti-sex-trafficking-advocates-discuss-competing-bills-strategies/ 

▫️No charges after bodies of 4 babies found in mom's freezer
More than two years after police found the bodies of four infants — two boys and two girls — tucked inside a freezer within a home in Boston, Massachusetts, a district attorney has announced there will be no charges filed.
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/no-charges-after-bodies-of-4-babies-frozen-solid-found-stored-in-mothers-freezer-in-shoe-boxes-covered-in-tin-foil/? 

▫️U.S. House sends Ossoff’s online child exploitation bill to Biden’s desk
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill co-authored by Georgia Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff designed to protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation.
The bill, also authored by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
The REPORT Act is designed to strengthen the national tip line run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to collect reports of online exploitation and would require evidence to be preserved for a longer period, giving law enforcement more time to investigate and prosecute crimes.
The bill would require websites and social media platforms to report crimes involving federal trafficking and enticement of children, which they are not currently required to do.
https://www.wrdw.com/2024/04/30/us-house-sends-ossoffs-online-child-exploitation-bill-bidens-desk/ 

▫️Police Searching for Missing Teenagers in Multiple Cases
Several teenagers are missing in various states. 
https://www.goperigon.com/news/tech/2024/04/29/search-ongoing-missing-teens-henderson-boston 

▫️Human Trafficking Awareness Tickets, Fri, May 3, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Join us for an online discussion on this critical issue; how to detect the signs, how to report it, and how to support survivors, followed by a Q&A.
Moderated by Dr. Robyn Bourgeois and featuring five panelists who will share their personal experience and professional expertise on this topic. Join us as we talk about this critical issue including how to detect the signs, how to report it, and how to support survivors. This will be followed by a Q&A period.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/human-trafficking-awareness-tickets-886443284727 

▫️Awareness against Human Trafficking- WORKSHOP Tickets, Sat, May 18, 2024 at 10:30 AM, Partin Settlement Road Kissimmee, FL 34744
Attention all Youth & Young adults! Join us for an Crucial workshop on raising awareness against human trafficking. Learn about the signs to look out for, how to protect yourself and others, and what you can do to help combat this issue. This event is more than just information- its about empowerment, protection, and standing against injustice.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/awareness-against-human-trafficking-workshop-tickets-894069966337 

▫️2024.05.16. 9:00am-11:00am: CMHLS: Human Trafficking Awareness (Zoom)
Children's Mental Health Lecture Series: Human Trafficking Awareness with: Debra Ellinger
Course Description: Human Trafficking warning signs, reporting, interview techniques, and resources available for survivors.
Date: May 16, 2024
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Location: Zoom Platform
https://www.dwctraining.com/2024-05-16-CMHLS-Human-Trafficking-Awareness.id.4177.htm 

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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Pair smuggled Cuban women into U.S., forced them into prostitution in Miami-Dade: Police
A man and woman are facing charges after police said they smuggled Cuban women into the United States then forced them into prostitution in Miami-Dade.
Vicenta Polanco, 30, and Luis Ariel Escalante, 24, were arrested Tuesday on human trafficking and prostitution charges, Miami-Dade jail records showed. The charges stem from the accounts of two women who said they had been forced to prostitute themselves at the direction of Polanco and Escalante, police said.
Both women were asked to hand over their Cuban passports and other legal documents, and were told they'd be assisted with legal representation for the immigration process, the reports said.
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGjmvaoc--s   (VIDEO)
» https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/pair-smuggled-cuban-women-into-u-s-forced-them-into-prostitution-in-miami-dade-police/3526690/ (VIDEO)
» https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/pair-smuggled-cuban-women-into-u-s-forced-them-into-prostitution-in-miami-dade-police/3299895/
» https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/05/01/miami-pair-lured-women-from-cuba-with-promise-of-stripping-trafficked-them-instead-cops-say/

▫️2 charged with abducting daughter of California billionaire Stewart Butterfield
SAN FRANCISCO  – Prosecutors charged two people with abducting a California billionaire’s child and hiding the teenager in San Francisco for six days.
On Tuesday, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Christopher “Kio” Dizefalo, 26, of San Francisco, and Sarah Atkins for allegedly abducting a 16-year-old minor in Marin County on April 21.
The teen’s parents are Stewart Butterfield, a billionaire businessman and former CEO of Slack, and his ex-wife, Caterina Fake, the co-founder of Flickr.
https://cw39.com/cw39/2-charged-with-abducting-daughter-of-california-billionaire-stewart-butterfield/ 

▫️Mill Valley music teacher arrested on child sex abuse charges
A Mill Valley Unified School District teacher was arrested Tuesday on sex charges, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's detectives arrested Darren Smith of Fairfax on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/mill-valley-music-teacher-arrested-on-child-sex-abuse-charges/ 

▫️ListCrawler ad leads to arrests at South River Suites in Medley, police say
MEDLEY, Fla. – Undercover investigators used ListCrawler, a free adult ad site, to search for human trafficking victims. There was a sad case at the South River Suites in Medley, police said.
Detectives reported Jose Navarro was so manipulative that the foreign national he was trafficking defended him, declined help, and said she was “in a relationship” with him. According to arrest reports, the 24-year-old woman said she would rather get arrested than turn on Navarro.
The woman was facing a charge of engaging in prostitution. Navarro was facing charges of deriving support from proceeds of prostitution and directing another to a place of prostitution. Miami-Dade inmate records show both had a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/05/02/listcrawler-ad-leads-to-arrests-at-south-river-suites-in-medley-police-say/ 

▫️Police: Armed men held more than 100 migrants in home
EL PASO, Texas  – Police in Juarez say they have turned over to Mexican immigration authorities 104 migrants found in an overcrowded stash house late Tuesday. The group included four minors.
Almost all the migrants were from Central America and were being guarded by armed caretakers at a home on the corner of Del Real and Marquina streets, Chihuahua Public Safety Director Gilberto Loya told reporters. Four unidentified suspects were taken into custody 
https://www.borderreport.com/immigration/police-armed-men-held-more-than-100-migrants-in-home/  (VIDEO) 

▫️Sex offender arrested on two counts of rape in Olympia
THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — A sex offender was arrested April 30 after allegedly luring women in downtown Olympia and sexually assaulting them. 
Now, the Thurston County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have survived a similar situation to come forward. Information provided by one of the survivors helped detectives link the two cases to 43-year-old Jerome Lamont Shumate, who is being held on $750,000 bail on suspicion of two counts of first-degree rape and failure to register as a sex offender. Shumate has not been officially charged.
Shumate was previously convicted of third-degree rape in 1998 and again in 2021. He was also convicted of third-degree rape of a child in 2021.
Given the nature of the assaults that began in downtown Olympia, it's possible there are other survivors, according to the sheriff's office. Anyone with information is asked to contact a deputy via dispatch at 360-704-2740 or email detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.
» https://youtu.be/ciuntCyYqg4  (VIDEO)
» https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/sex-offender-arrested-olympia-thurston-county/281-6059df1f-9e05-4384-95ac-0b56e9704006  (VIDEO)

▫️Former NH Rep. Candidate Accused Of Child Sexual Assault During 2022 Incident At Porcfest
Elliot "Alu" Axelman faces 7 counts of sexual and simple assault and false imprisonment in a Lancaster court in June after a 2022 incident.
https://patch.com/new-hampshire/concord-nh/former-rep-candidate-accused-child-sexual-assault-2022-porcfest 

▫️Payson man arrested for trying to hook up with underage teen, sheriff says
A Payson man was arrested recently for reportedly trying to engage in sexual activity with a teen.
John Hobbs, 68, reportedly solicited sex acts from a 16-year-old female, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/crime_law_enforcement/payson-man-arrested-for-trying-to-hook-up-with-underage-teen-sheriff-says/article_22d2fba0-074e-11ef-a597-47b7a605aee4.html 

▫️Tulsa County juvenile detention officer arrested, accused of child human trafficking
TULSA, OKLA.  — A Tulsa County Juvenile detention officer has been arrested for allegedly having sexual relations with one of the juveniles.
Jonathan Hines has been charged with child human trafficking, taking a cell phone into a jail, and destroying evidence.
» https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-county-juvenile-detention-officer-arrested-accused-of-child-human-trafficking-17-year-old-cell-sexual-relations-texting-money 
» https://youtu.be/kqpP5SQbhac/

▫️Former Lafourche art teacher found guilty of sexually abusing student in 2009
 A former middle school art teacher in Lafourche Parish was found guilty Wednesday of sexually abusing a student in 2009.
Ralph Cheramie Jr., 64, was convicted of molestation of a juvenile, sexual battery of a minor under 13 and indecent behavior with a juvenile under 13 after a three-day trial. It took the jury an hour to arrive at their verdict, which carries with it a combined sentence of over 100 years.
https://www.wbrz.com/news/former-lafourche-art-teacher-found-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-student-in-2009/ 

▫️Man gets 20 years for multiple charges of sex abuse of children
A 55-year-old man who entered guilty pleas to a total of five charges relating to sexual abuse of children has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Pete Garcia was originally charged in 2018 after a female adult relative reported to police that Garcia sexually abused her in 1993, when she was a child.
https://www.fox44news.com/news/local-news/mclennan-county/man-gets-20-years-for-multiple-charge-of-sex-abuse-of-children/ 

▫️Human Smuggling Ringleader Sentenced Following HSI Rio Grande Valley Investigation
McALLEN, Texas — The leader of a human smuggling organization and five others were sentenced April 30 for conspiring to smuggle noncitizens following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol.
Saul Torres-Martinez aka Cobra, 42, of Houston, led and organized the smuggling operation and was sentenced to 110 months in prison.
Ernesto Mata Pioquinto, 32, of Mexico; Marcelino Navarro Sanchez, 31, of Mexico; and Luis Esteban Martinez, 41, of Alamo, Texas were also sentenced to 52 months in prison. Robert Hernandez, 26, of Fresno, California, was sentenced to 39 months in prison, while Noemi Silva, 39, of Wimauma, Florida was sentenced to 87 months. Torres-Martinez was also sentenced to 87 months in federal prison. Hernandez, Silva and Torres-Martinez will serve three years of supervised release following their imprisonment. Not being U.S. citizens, Torres-Martinez, Pioquinto and Sanchez are expected to face removal proceedings following the completion of their sentences
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/05/02/human-smuggling-ringleader-sentenced-following-hsi-rio-grande-valley-investigation 

▫️WANTED: Man convicted of sex assault on a child #4 on Colorado’s Most Wanted Sex Offender list
This week we featured number four, Steven Qualley. Qualley’s warrant was issued by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
A 24-hour tip line is available to report information and you can remain anonymous: 303-239-5732. Or you can email CDPS_CBI_FugitiveTips@state.co.us.
» https://www.kktv.com/2024/05/01/man-convicted-sex-assault-child-4-colorados-most-wanted-sex-offender-list/ (VIDEO)
 » https://www.kktv.com/video/2024/05/01/wanted-sex-offender-sought-colorado-warrant-issued-by-el-paso-county-sheriffs-office/ (VIDEO)
»

▫️Cincinnati man called 'Scorpio' found guilty of sex trafficking teens
A West Price Hill man who sexually exploited two teen runaways faces up to life in prison after being found guilty Tuesday of multiple federal charges.
Kelly Richards, 43, who is known as "Scorpio" and has a tattoo of a scorpion on his face, was convicted in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati of charges including sex trafficking of minors and sexually exploiting children.
» https://youtu.be/cyzvcbqlTrk (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox19.com/2024/05/01/cincinnati-man-found-guilty-sex-trafficking-exploiting-teen-girls/ (VIDEO)
» https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/jury-finds-cincinnati-man-guilty-sex-trafficking-exploiting-2-teens

▫️Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenses
BOSTON — A Bourne man was sentenced April 30 in a federal court in Boston for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material and violating the terms of his supervised release.
Bryan C. Mileikis, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to eight years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Talwani also ordered him to pay $18,000 in restitution. 
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/05/01/massachusetts-man-sentenced-8-years-child-sexual-abuse-material-offenses 

▫️Kentucky Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Advertising Child Exploitation Material
Scott Allison, 59, of Glasgow, Kentucky, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Allison was also ordered to pay restitution of $100,000. After a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England investigation, Allison pleaded guilty to one count of advertisement of child pornography in September 2023.
In April 2021, during an HSI cybercrime investigation, Allison was identified advertising and posting links to child sexual abuse material, including images of boys as young as approximately two years old, on a website on the dark web for which he served as a moderator. Allison used at least two different usernames on various websites on the dark web. On one website, Allison was responsible for moderation, which included greeting and socializing with guests, reviewing messages and images, and ensuring the website’s safety and success.
During a search of his home in November 2021, HSI special agents found an external hard drive plugged into a computer in his bedroom which was found to contain approximately 130,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/05/02/kentucky-man-sentenced-15-years-advertising-child-exploitation-material 

▫️Kent Co. man convicted of sex trafficking a child, other crimes
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A federal jury convicted a Kent County man of sex trafficking of a child, sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child pornography on Wednesday. 
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan (WDMI) Mark Totten said evidence introduced at the trial showed that Terrence Clay, 39, originally met the minor victim at a park in Grand Rapids in early 2022. 
Once Clay received nude images of the victim, he advertised her online, according to the attorney's office.  
“Treating his victim like nothing more than property, Terrence Clay repeatedly ordered a minor to sell herself for sex,” said Totten. “Today’s guilty verdict on all counts secures a measure of justice for the victim and the entire community 
» https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/feds-kent-co-man-found-guilty-of-sex-trafficking-child/ (VIDEO)
 » https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/kent-county-man-charged-sex-trafficking-a-child-other-crimes/69-293330f9-62d6-4e71-8019-528b628a4996
»

▫️Owner of Vashon Island landscaping company sentenced for labor, human trafficking
A Vashon Island resident and owner of a landscape company, Brothers Landscaping, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for 21 federal felonies related to human trafficking and forced labor.
According to the U.S. District Court in Seattle, Jesus Ruiz-Hernandez — also known as Christo Jesus Escobar Solares — created a business model built on “enticing vulnerable people” from Mexico primarily to work at his company, only to later force them to work for him for little to no money. He would use both their debts and immigration status as leverage to keep them at his company as cheap labor.
https://mynorthwest.com/3958983/owner-vashon-island-landscaping-company-sentenced-labor-human-trafficking/ 

▫️Cruise line worker arrested at Port Everglades for child sexual abuse material, feds say
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Celebrity Cruises crew member appeared in Fort Lauderdale federal court Tuesday after federal agents said they found child sexual abuse material on his phone after he disembarked at Port Everglades the day prior.
According to court documents released Wednesday, agents searched the phone of Dennis Ofrancia De Leon, 44, a Filipino national, after he got off the Celebrity Reflection Monday.
He admitted to viewing content showing victims under the age of 10, the complaint states.
De Leon said he “generally deletes the child pornography he downloads onto his cellphone prior to traveling internationally, but failed to do so on this occasion,” Leonard wrote.
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/05/01/cruise-line-worker-arrested-at-port-everglades-for-child-sexual-abuse-material-feds-say/ 

▫️Child abuse expert at Haskell trial: ‘Very small minority’ of victimized kids lie
A clinical psychologist and recognized expert in child sexual abuse testified Tuesday in the Solano County Superior Court trial of James Glenn Haskell that “a very small minority” of victimized children lie about being sexually abused or assaulted.
The statement by Blake D. Carmichael followed direct questioning by Deputy District Attorney Shelly Moore and later cross-examination by defense attorney Thomas Maas, the latter questioning the psychologist about a 1983 article by Roland C. Summit, whose findings described Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome, or CSAAS.
https://www.thereporter.com/2024/04/30/child-abuse-expert-at-haskell-trial-very-small-minority-of-victimized-kids-lie/ 

▫️Exposed: Human Trafficker ARRESTED by Police
Watch as a human trafficker is exposed and arrested by police in this shocking video. See firsthand the efforts of law enforcement, border patrol, and community members to end human trafficking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PfH5xLCC3U

▫️Shusterman Stands Up For Human Trafficking Victims
During a Judiciary Committee hearing, Pa. state Rep. Melissa Shusterman speaks in favor of her bill, HB 2227, which would give human trafficking victims an affirmative defense from charges for crimes their abusers may have forced them to commit, or they may have committed while escaping their abusive circumstances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDKuZxqUKpY    (VIDEO)

▫️Human Trafficking Awareness Event Tickets, Sat, Jul 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM | Crain Highway La Plata, MD 
Teen Court is hosting a Human Trafficking Awareness Event to help provide information and resources to the community.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/human-trafficking-awareness-event-tickets-895490294577 

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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Just in: Atlanta Police announce human trafficking arrests
DeKalb County - 4 arrested, Harold Poole wanted. Multiple 14-16-yo victims rescued, some from a fosterhome. The investigation is ongoing.
»

▫️Operation Cyber Strike captures Utah offenders targeting minors for sexual exploitation
SALT LAKE CITY — A multi-day operation by the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children snared 15 offenders accused of sexually exploiting children last month.
The Utah Attorney General's Office says search warrants were served during Operation Cyber Strike at homes of people believed to have downloaded, viewed, and distributed child sexual abuse material.
Task force agents also conducted undercover chats on social media to find offenders seeking children for sexual activity. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office hosted the four-day operation in Provo, which included over 70 task force agents who participated from 31 different federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Felony charges brought against the 15 charged include enticing a minor and human trafficking of a child.
» https://ksltv.com/641408/15-utahns-arrested-in-operation-cyber-strike-accused-of-using-the-internet-to-sexually-exploit-children/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox13now.com/news/crime/utah-sting-operation-captured-offenders-targeting-children-for-sexual-exploitation
» https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/operation-cyber-strike-31-agencies-participate-in-joint-icac-raid-that-results-in-15-arrests/ 

▫️Amarillo police arrest suspects in human trafficking operation
The Amarillo Police Department (APD) made 13 arrests in connection to a human trafficking operation this past weekend, police announced Thursday.
On April 26 and 27, APD conducted a prostitution/human trafficking operation in Amarillo. Over the two-day operation, multiple arrests were made. "Our officers interview all the women arrested to determine if they were or are being trafficked and gives them information on help and resources in the Amarillo community," APD said.
Nine people were arrested on prostitution charges, one person was arrested on a charge of prostitution with one or two previous convictions, and three people were arrested on charges for solicit prostitution/other payor, APD said.
Officers interviewed all the women arrested to determine if they were or are being trafficked and gave them information on help and resources in the community.
» https://www.newschannel10.com/2024/05/02/apd-several-arrested-prostitutionhuman-trafficking-operation/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.amarillo.com/story/news/2024/05/02/amarillo-police-arrest-13-suspects-in-human-trafficking-prostitution-operation/73547701007/
» https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/13-arrested-during-two-day-prostitution-human-trafficking-operation-amarillo-texas-police-department-danica-armstrong-trisha-brooks-bobbi-pacheco-ashley-boggs-jocelyn-hockaday-malerie-voyles-stephanie-york-alexis-garcia-lameka-mitchell-cari-gilbert 

▫️U.S. Marshals Announce the Start of Operation Silver Shield
Baltimore, MD – The goal of this operation, which runs from May through August, is to protect the community by prioritizing the recovery of critically missing children and arresting those offenders who pose the greatest risk to public safety.
Anyone with information on a non-compliant/wanted sex offender, violent fugitive, or critically missing child is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office at 1-866-4WANTED or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.
https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/press-release/us-marshals-announce-start-of-operation-silver-shield-0 

▫️Three arrested in human trafficking operation at Mississippi casino, 1 survivor
NESHOBA COUNTY, Miss.  – Three people were arrested during a human trafficking operation conducted at the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino in Mississippi. The main purpose of the operation was to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies found one female victim.
One male arrested for a child pornography case and is a suspect in a juvenile sexual assault case. 
» https://youtu.be/KwTN3qYX25g
» https://www.wjtv.com/news/state/three-arrested-in-human-trafficking-operation-at-mississippi-casino/
» https://www.wtok.com/2024/05/02/human-trafficking-operation-completed-choctaw-mississippi/
» https://www.breezynews.com/local/choctaw-police-neshoba-county-sheriffs-office-and-others-bust-human-trafficking-operation-at-golden-moon-hotel-and-casino

▫️DA Bragg: 4 indicted in Manhattan child sex trafficking ring involving 14-year-old girl
Four people were indicted for allegedly forcing a 14-year-old girl into selling her body for sex in New York City, Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg announced on Thursday. 
The defendants, all young adults between the ages of 20 and 23, are alleged to have operated the sex trafficking business beginning in November 2023 through February of this year. 
Nickolous Charles, 21, Brianna Moreno, 20, Alejandrina Ventura, 24, and Wilson-Mariano Ventura, 23, are charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with fourth-degree conspiracy and second-degree promoting prostitution. 
Additionally, Charles, as well as Alejandrina and Wilson-Mariano Ventura, are charged with sex trafficking of a child. Moreno and Charles are facing charges of third-degree promoting prostitution.
It is not yet known how many “clients” met the child for sex. None have been arrested, but the investigation remains ongoing. 
Charles and Moreno, law enforcement sources said, allegedly organized the “dates” using various phone numbers as well as their own; collected payment from the “customers”
» https://www.amny.com/news/bragg-manhattan-child-sex-trafficking-indictment/
» https://www.fox5ny.com/news/4-indicted-in-child-sex-trafficking-ring-manhattan-da 

▫️Man who worked at schools faces child sex assault charge
A man who worked at various Jefferson County elementary schools has been arrested and faces a charge of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, police said on Thursday.
Justin Martinez, 30, was arrested Tuesday after Arvada Police began an investigation on April 22. Online court records indicate he faces two charges. They include sexual assault on a child - victim under 15, a pattern of abuse, and child abuse. 
https://denvergazette.com/news/public-safety/police/sexual-assault-jeffco-schools/article_cc446af2-08c5-11ef-bc9d-f31a9dd0ad9a.html 

▫️Convicted Sex Offender Indicted for Attempting to Entice Minor
ORLANDO, Fla. — A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando investigation has led to the indictment of a Florida man in the Middle District of Florida for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and committing a felony offense involving a minor when required to register as a sex offender.
Chad Allen Pease, 48, of Fort Pierce, faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years and up to life in federal prison if convicted. 
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/05/02/convicted-sex-offender-indicted-attempting-entice-minor 

▫️Former Brewster cop sentenced to prison, protected a sex trafficking operation
WHITE PLAINS – “Wayne Peiffer violated his sworn oath to serve the community by using his authority as law enforcement to protect known sex traffickers and perpetuate the further victimization of the trafficked women,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith.
Former Police Officer Wayne Peiffer, who patrolled the streets of Brewster for 15 years, was sentenced to 36 months in prison Thursday for his participation in a conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Peiffer, a resident of Highland in Ulster County, was arrested in December 2021 by the FBI on charges that he protected a sex trafficking operation in exchange for sex with women, sometimes at the village’s police station. 
Peiffer had been indicted by a federal grand jury along with five residents of Queens associated with the Ced-Hernandez sex trafficking organization and Godinez prostitution operation which federal authorities said dated back 20 years.
The former cop was accused of protecting the others who reportedly brought women and teenaged girls from Mexico to work in prostitution throughout the New York metropolitan area including Brewster.
Court records indicated Peiffer safeguarded the alleged sex traffickers for more than eight years giving them advanced warning of police operations while “intervening to prevent their arrests.”
Peiffer had originally been charged with extortion, conspiracy, conspiracy to use an interstate facility to promote prostitution and commit bribery, and use of an interstate facility to promote prostitution.
https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/putnam/brewster/2024/05/02/ex-brewster-ny-cop-sentenced-three-years-in-prison-free-sex-prostitution-ring/73538932007/
» https://midhudsonnews.com/2024/05/03/former-brewster-cop-sentenced-to-prison/
» https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-village-brewster-police-officer-sentenced-36-months-prison-his-role-commercial 

▫️Man accused of trafficking women out of South Harrells Ferry Road apartment
BATON ROUGE — A man was arrested after for his alleged involvement in a human trafficking operation.
Allbert Javier Herrara Machado, 23, was booked April 27 by East Baton Rouge Parish deputies on two counts of human trafficking. Deputies began investigating the trafficking operation on April 26 after receiving a 911 call from a Spanish speaking woman who reportedly claimed she was being held in a South Harrells Ferry Road apartment and was being forced to have sex for unknown men for money, an affidavit says.
» https://www.wbrz.com/news/man-accused-of-trafficking-women-out-of-south-harrells-ferry-road-apartment/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/crime_police/man-arrested-in-baton-rouge-for-sex-trafficking-two-women/article_00b1d46e-08c1-11ef-83e4-377a8cbd9949.html

▫️Child luring investigations lead to arrests
Officers from Lincoln City Police, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Newport Police, Toledo Police, and Oregon State Police conducted the joint investigations into the child luring crimes in Lincoln County. Details of the arrests were revealed April 26.
Jagdeep Singh, 23, of Salem, was arrested after attempting to meet with a child for sex at an undisclosed location in Lincoln City. Singh was charged with luring a minor and first degree online sex corruption of a child. He was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail.
Alec Adams, 27, of Depoe Bay, was arrested after offering to meet with a child for sex at an undisclosed location in Lincoln County. He was charged with luring a minor and second degree online sex corruption of a child and was lodged at the jail.
https://www.thenewsguard.com/news/child-luring-investigations-lead-to-arrests/article_133b5ce5-bb04-554d-9d48-31589ccec594.html 

▫️Chicago police issue community alert after man tries to kidnap teenager at bus stop on North Central Avenue in Portage Park
Chicago police issued a community alert after a man tried to kidnap a teenage girl standing at a bus stop on the city's Northwest Side.
The incident happened on Thursday, April 18 at around 8;19 a.m. in the 3600 block of North Central Avenue in Portage Park. A 15-year-old girl was waiting at a bus stop when an unknown man demanded that she get into his car and threatened to grab her and put her in the car, according to police.
» https://youtu.be/dcq5YHG2k-Y
» https://abc7chicago.com/man-tries-to-kidnap-teenager-at-bus-stop-on-north-central-avenue-in-portage-park-northwest-side-chicago-police-issue-community-alert/14741803/

▫️Cheyenne Cop Runs Down Wanted Sex Offender
A 29-year-old Cheyenne transient being sought on a felony warrant out of Laramie County Circuit Court for failure to register as a sex offender is now behind bars.
According to a booking sheet, a police officer was patrolling near Martin Luther King Jr. Park at about 5;12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, when he spotted Jesse James Flores, who he knew to have a warrant, at the corner of West 19th Street and Ames Avenue.
Due to his uncooperativeness, Flores has yet to make his initial appearance in Circuit Court.
https://kgab.com/crime-cheyenne-wy-police-felony-warrant-failure-to-register-sex-offender-laramie-county-circuit-court-jesse-flores-arrested-cop-runs-down-wanted/  

▫️Man found guilty of trafficking Bakersfield teen for sex across California
BAKERSFIELD, Calif.  — A man has been convicted of trafficking a Bakersfield 16-year-old for sex across California, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office said.
A Kern County jury on Wednesday found Rico Herring, 32, guilty of human trafficking of a minor with an enhancement that he used force, fear or coercion during the trafficking, pandering or pimping of a minor, according to a release.
Herring also threatened to kill the teen and a family member, the DA’s office said.
» https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/california/man-convicted-of-human-trafficking-of-bakersfield-teen-stranding-her-in-fresno/
» https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/man-convicted-of-human-trafficking-of-bakersfield-teen/ 

▫️Former New Mexico Marine sentenced for raping a minor
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  – A former New Mexico Marine learned his fate in court on Tuesday after he pled guilty to grooming and raping a minor. In 2022, Derek Stanley was in a relationship with an eighth-grade girl. He was 20 years old at the time.
Judge Britt Baca Miller sentenced Stanley to 14 years in prison.
https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/former-new-mexico-marine-sentenced-for-raping-a-minor/ 

▫️Archdiocese of New Orleans suspected of child sex trafficking, warrant shows
A criminal investigation into the Archdiocese of New Orleans is based on a suspicion that it may be linked to child sex trafficking, according to allegations presented in a search warrant granted to Louisiana State Police.
The affidavit requesting the search warrant, first obtained by the New Orleans-based WWL Radio, alleges that multiple sex abuse victims provided statements that claim they were transported to other parishes and outside of Louisiana, where they were sexually abused. It further alleges a scheme within the archdiocese in which abused children were instructed to provide “gifts” to certain priests, which were meant to signal that the children were targets for sexual abuse.
» https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257560/archdiocese-of-new-orleans-suspected-of-child-sex-trafficking-warrant-shows
» https://www.audacy.com/wwl/news/local/warrant-lsp-investigating-archdiocese-for-sex-trafficking
» https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-pYFiidibqcmbhto5RBiZ4Hghf0ZgKF/view
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/archdiocese-of-new-orleans-suspected-of-child-sex-trafficking-warrant-shows/  

▫️(UPDATE) Woman who recruited Lubbock teen into sex trafficking operation gets prison
LUBBOCK, Texas — A woman accused of sex trafficking a missing Lubbock teen, Sarah Gonzales, 25, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison, federal court records obtained on Thursday showed.
EverythingLubbock.com previously reported the teen went missing from her Lubbock home on November 28, 2022. The victim was taken to Odessa with Cameron Phifer, 24, Bianka Vega, 22, and Deryan Thomas, 32, and the group taught her how to be a prostitute. They later trafficked her in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/woman-who-recruited-lubbock-teen-into-sex-trafficking-operation-gets-prison/ 

▫️State leaders file bill aiming to raise awareness to human trafficking
RALEIGH, N.C.  — A new bill filed in the state legislature is calling for human trafficking awareness training for some people in the hospitality industry.
State representative Timothy Reeder (R-Pitt), who attended the conference Thursday, told CBS 17 he and Rep. Kevin Crutchfield (R-Cabarrus) just filed a bill that would require training for hotel workers and vacation rental home owners on how to identify human trafficking victims.
https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/state-leaders-file-bill-aiming-to-raise-awareness-to-human-trafficking/  

▫️Lothian man faces charges for sex with underage girl in Pittsburgh, according to federal indictment
A Lothian man was indicted last month by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges that he engaged in a two-month sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl, according to the Department of Justice.
George Luton, 49, faces upwards of 30 years in prison and/or $250,000 in fines if convicted on nine counts in the Western District Court of Pennsylvania
https://www.capitalgazette.com/2024/05/02/annapolis-man-indicted-pittsburgh-sexual-exploitation/  

▫️Tennessee agencies work to combat human trafficking in our region
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's most recent statistical report says human trafficking cases are on the rise.
https://youtu.be/zBdOuqXFOr 

▫️Attorney General Dana Nessel raising awareness of the signs of human trafficking
Following the announcement Tuesday of labor trafficking charges against three small business operators from Three Rivers, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is raising awareness of the signs of human trafficking and reminding residents of the resources available to both victims and those who suspect trafficking in their community. 
“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that persists across the United States, including right here in Michigan,” Nessel said. “Traffickers exploit men, women, and children, forcing them into labor, sex work, and domestic servitude. These victims are often subjected to coercion, violence, and threats to keep them trapped and generate profit for their captors. By recognizing the signs of human trafficking, we can all play a part in helping victims get the support they desperately need. Remember, if you see something, say something. It could save a person’s life.”   
https://www.sturgisjournal.com/story/news/crime/2024/05/02/attorney-general-dana-nessel-raising-awareness-of-the-signs-of-human-trafficking/73546034007/ 

▫️Chicago area nonprofit seeks to help victims of sexual abuse and exploitation reclaim their lives
CHICAGO - Reclaiming their lives. That's the message from one west suburban organization encouraging young girls.
Reclaim 13 helps teenage girls and young women who have been sexually exploited. Tomitra Fluker, a Reclaim 13 survivor advocate who was trafficked by a close family member, wears her trauma proudly.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/reclaim-13-nonprofit-victims-sexual-abuse-exploitation-trafficking/   (VIDEO) 

▫️Follow Money Fight Slavery 2024 Summit - Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative, 3-day virtual summit
The Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative is combating global human trafficking by promoting corporate social responsibility through increasing awareness, facilitating intelligence integration and technology advancement, and encouraging strategic data collaboration.
In this 3-day virtual summit, we bring together BSA Officers, Financial Crime Investigators, Compliance & AML, Regulators, Law Enforcement, Cyber Security Professionals, Cryptocurrency Industry Leaders, Teachers, Students, Parents & more to promote corporate social responsibility through following the money to fight slavery.
https://followmoneyfightslavery.org/summit-2024/ 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️18 men arrested in undercover Las Vegas child sex predator operation
LAS VEGAS  — Eighteen men are facing charges after being arrested in a law enforcement operation targeting child sexual predators in the Las Vegas valley. All 18 will face charges of Luring a Minor with a Computer to Engage in Sex.
The two-day Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) joint operation took place on April 26 and 27. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, undercover agents posed as underage juveniles and after being solicited for sex by the adult suspects, a meeting was set up and the suspects were taken into custody in Henderson.
Anyone who may have been a victim of any of these subjects or has information about their crimes is asked to contact the LVMPD Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force by phone at 702-828-3111.
» https://news3lv.com/news/local/18-arrested-las-vegas-valley-child-sex-predator-sting-henderson-internet-crimes-fbi-task-force-lvmpd-metro-police-southern-nevada  (VIDEO)
» https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/sex-crimes/18-arrested-in-henderson-in-operation-targeting-online-child-sex-predators-3044661/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/05/03/18-suspects-arrested-henderson-after-undercover-sting-targeting-child-predators/
» https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/18-men-arrested-in-undercover-las-vegas-child-sex-predator-operation/ (VIDEO)
» https://www.ktnv.com/news/crime/18-arrested-as-part-of-multi-agency-sting-on-child-predators 

▫️4 arrested, 5th wanted after 15-year-old girl trafficked for months in DeKalb, Fulton counties  (UPDATE)
ATLANTA — A 15-year-old human trafficking victim is getting credit for helping police arrest a ring of suspected human traffickers. Atlanta police say the teen’s love of crime shows is the reason she compiled so much information and shared it with them.
Police say that she was trafficked by Albert Wells at America’s Best Value Inn on Memorial Drive. A joint investigation that included DeKalb police, the DeKalb District Attorney’s office, the FBI and others led to the arrest of Wells, Levi Sears, Taalib Blount and Talmes Eugene Smith.
Police believe three other victims between the ages of 14 and 16 are possibly connected to this case.
Police are asking for the public’s help finding Harold Poole ($2000 reward). If you have any information, you’re asked to call Atlanta police or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
» https://youtu.be/fPrqmaVfqJo  (VIDEO)
» https://youtu.be/Zpm-se42MXk  (VIDEO)
» https://youtu.be/zQXJY2VLqaU  (VIDEO)
» https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/4-arrested-5th-wanted-after-15-year-old-girl-trafficked-months-dekalb-fulton-counties/PV7LU623VZE4BKRE4OHNG5PVP4/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/1450779  (VIDEO)

▫️Venezuelan man arrested for human trafficking operation in East Baton Rouge  (UPDATE)
BATON ROUGE, La.  - According to East Baton Rouge Parish deputies, 23-year-old Allbert Machado is accused of making two women have sex with different men for money in Baton Rouge.
Police say one of the human trafficking victims made a brave decision to call 911 for help.
When deputies arrived at an apartment complex on Harrells Ferry Road in Baton Rouge, they found the two victims and Machado in an apartment.
» https://www.wafb.com/2024/05/03/venezualan-man-arrested-human-trafficking-operation-east-baton-rouge/  (VIDEO)
 » https://www.mysuncoast.com/video/2024/05/03/venezuelan-man-arrested-human-trafficking-operation-east-baton-rouge/
»

▫️Basketball coach charged in ‘child predator operation’
LANSING, Mich.  – The Holt High School boys’ basketball coach is on administrative leave after he was arraigned on four felonies in 54-A District Court.
Muhammad El-Amin was arraigned Friday morning and released on a personal recognizance bond. He was charged with one count of Child Sexually Abusive Material, one count of using a computer and the internet to communicate with another to commit a crime. one count of using a computer to commit a crime and one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes.
» https://youtu.be/Tclm291YC8I  (VIDEO)
» https://www.wlns.com/news/high-school-basketball-coach-charged-in-child-predator-operation/

▫️Police: ‘Pimp’ arrested after bringing Texas teen to Miami-Dade to work as prostitute
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A 31-year-old man was arrested on a warrant Thursday after Miami-Dade police said he brought a 17-year-old girl from Texas to South Florida to work as a prostitute.
Police said the teen was transported to the Homeland Security Investigations building for an interview, and it was discovered that she had been reported missing in Texas.
According to the warrant, the teen told detectives that she had traveled to Miami from Texas with her “pimp,” Javien Papillon, who she knew as “Houston,” and a female known to her as “Momma.”
Papillon faces charges of human trafficking involving a victim under 18 and deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution.
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/05/03/police-pimp-arrested-after-bringing-texas-teen-to-miami-dade-to-work-as-prostitute/ 

▫️Sevier County Teacher Arrested for Sexual Abuse of a Child
Sevier County Schools said it suspended 32-year-old Nathan McKinley Maples of Sevierville in February. Administrators said they learned from a parent that the teacher may have behaved inappropriately towards the child.
On Monday, a Sevier County grand jury returned an eight-count indictment to Maples. He was charged with four counts of statutory rape by an influential person, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, one count of aggravated sexual battery, one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and one count of electronic exploitation of a minor.
According to the indictment, Maples had sexual contact with a child under the age of 13 since December 2021. It was alleged that between December 2022 and February 2024, he continuously sexually abused the child.
https://www.leifcare.de/careto/16Tn3wsEXpr202781.html/ 

▫️Former School Bus Driver Indicted on Child Pornography Charges
ST. LOUIS – A former school bus driver from St. Peters, Missouri, has been indicted and accused of recording the sexual abuse of minors.
Robert W. Stillwell, 66, of St. Peters, Missouri, was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis with two counts of production of child pornography. Stillwell is currently in custody in the St. Charles County Detention Center.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/former-school-bus-driver-indicted-child-pornography-charge 

▫️Man wanted for kidnapping, raping child, Roanoke Rapids police say
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.  — Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance to help them find a man wanted for kidnapping and raping a child, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said Friday.
Officers said 21-year-old Oquevion Raheim Barnes, of Roanoke Rapids, is wanted for raping a juvenile under the age of 13.
Anyone with information about Barnes’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Halifax County Crime Stoppers online or by phone at (252) 583-4444. Callers can remain anonymous and your information can get you paid.
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/man-wanted-for-kidnapping-raping-child-roanoke-rapids-police-say/ 

▫️Georgia Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Rochester Toddler
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Georgia man has been charged in connection with the sexual assault of a toddler in Rochester that’s alleged to have occurred eight years ago. 
That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court this week. The victim was three years old at the time of the alleged sexual abuse.
The young girl identified the man who sexually assaulted her as 34-year-old Christopher Rashad Brown, who now has a Kathleen, GA address, the court filing says. 
https://krforadio.com/ixp/669/p/georgia-man-sex-assault-toddler-rochester-mn/ 

▫️New York Man Arrested for Criminal Threatening, Sex Trafficking at Portland Massage Parlor
A New York man was arrested last week at a Portland massage parlor on charges of criminal threatening and aggravated sex trafficking.
According to the Portland Police Department’s arrest log, 45-year-old Changsheng Xiao of Flushing, N.Y., was arrested shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday, April 26, on Forest Avenue in Portland.
https://www.themainewire.com/2024/05/new-york-man-arrested-for-criminal-threatening-sex-trafficking-at-portland-massage-parlor/ 

▫️Convicted Child Predators Apprehended at TX Border
Over the weekend, Border Patrol agents in Texas intercepted three individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally, all of whom were sex offenders convicted of crimes against children.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens reported via X that the apprehensions occurred in Eagle Pass, Rio Grande City, and Cotulla. All three individuals had prior felony convictions for indecency with a child involving sexual contact. Neither their names nor further information about the convictions was provided.
https://dallasexpress.com/state/convicted-child-predators-apprehended-at-tx-border/ 

▫️Police youth program faces nearly 200 allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct
A police youth program that has been running for decades has been linked to nearly 200 allegations of sex abuse and misconduct across the country. Law enforcement personnel are accused of grooming, sexually abusing, or engaging with teens and young adults enrolled in the Explorer program.
» https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/police-youth-program-faces-nearly-200-allegations-of-sexual-abuse-and-misconduct-210237509771  (VIDEO)
» https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/a-police-youth-program-is-plagued-by-sexual-abuse-allegations-across-the-u-s/5374518/
» https://www.ilfresco.ca/menu-1/e1cm77993P1d28/ 

▫️Former Boy Scout volunteer sentenced to 22 years in prison for hiding cameras in camp bathrooms
ST. LOUIS  - A former Boy Scout volunteer has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for hiding cameras in a bathroom at a Missouri camp.
A federal judge on Thursday also ordered David Lee Nelson, a 41-year-old from Redmond, Washington, to pay more than $60,000, with some of the money going toward counseling for the victims. 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-13380603/Former-Boy-Scout-volunteer-sentenced-22-years-prison-hiding-cameras-camp-bathrooms.html 

▫️New Hampshire jury finds state liable for abuse at youth detention center and awards victim $38M
BRENTWOOD, N.H. - A New Hampshire jury awarded $38 million to the man who blew the lid off abuse allegations at the state´s youth detention center Friday, finding in a landmark case that the state´s negligence allowed him to be beaten, raped and held in solitary confinement as a teen.
David Meehan´s attorney said his client was "overwhelmed and overjoyed" by what he called the largest jury award in a civil case in New Hampshire history, though the state said the amount will be reduced to $475,000 under its law that caps damages.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-13380807/New-Hampshire-jury-finds-state-liable-abuse-youth-detention-center-awards-victim-38M.html 

▫️A Hesperia pastor is arrested for the sexually abusing foster children
A Hesperia pastor is in police custody following an investigation into allegations he sexually abused two minors under his care as a foster parent.
Jose Manuel Lozano is awaiting trial at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, where he is being held in lieu of $5-million bail. Investigators described his alleged victims as girls ages 16 and 10.
The Sovereign Way Christian Church campus has security cameras in nearly every room, but law enforcement hasn’t asked for any video, according to Pastor Stephen Feinstein.
Local authorities believe Lozano may have targeted other victims, and officials are asking anyone with information to contact San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Frankie Zavala with the Hesperia station at (760) 947-1500 or to call an anonymous tip line at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).
» https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-05-02/a-hesperia-pastor-is-arrested-for-the-sexually-abusing-foster-children
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/hesperia-pastor-is-arrested-accused-of-sexually-abusing-foster-children/ 

▫️Stop The Trafficking 5K Walk/Run
Join our 11th annual 5K walk/run to raise awareness and funds to end human trafficking. All proceeds will be designated to organizations working to help sexually exploited youth and women.
https://grace.church/ccb-event/26578/stop-the-trafficking-5k-walkrun/?date=2024-06-15 

▫️Q&A with Wendy Ralston about Monday's Human Trafficking 101 Session - Trinity Health System
On Monday, May 6, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Sullivan Room at Trinity Medical Center West, Trinity Health System, in partnership with Eyes Up Appalachia and Forensic Nursing Network, Inc. (FNN), will host a seminar titled Human Trafficking 101 with an Appalachian and Healthcare Focus. Trinity Medical Center West is located at 4000 Johnson Road in Steubenville, Ohio.
With the purpose of helping healthcare workers understand the definition of human trafficking, the realities and myths that surround it, and the signs to look for and what to do when you see them, the session will focus specifically on Appalachia Ohio and the impact this evil industry is having on our communities.
https://trinityhealth.com/qa-with-wendy-ralston-about-mondays-human-trafficking-101-session/ 

▫️Prayer To Combat Human Trafficking - Online Zoom - Elijah Rising
https://elijahrising.org/event/prayer-to-combat-human-trafficking-online-zoom/2024-06-04/ 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️10-month-old abducted by suspect who allegedly killed 2 women, injured 5-year-old: Police
An urgent search is underway in Clovis, New Mexico, after police say a 10-month-old baby was abducted, two women were found dead with apparent gunshot wounds, including the child's mother, and the mother's 5-year-old child was found injured on the scene.
Police issued an Amber Alert for the baby, Eleia Maria Torres, Friday which was still active Saturday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Clovis Police Department at 575-769-1921.
https://www.koat.com/article/amber-alert-new-mexico-clovis-missing-10-month-old/60689359 (VIDEO)
» https://abcnews.go.com/US/10-month-abducted-suspect-allegedly-killed-2-women/story?id=109929045
» https://kmph.com/news/nation-world/2-women-found-dead-in-park-with-child-covered-in-blood-amber-alert-for-missing-infant-samantha-cisneros-taryn-allen-eleia-maria-torres-ned-houk-park-clovis-new-mexico-double-murder-kidnapping-suspect 

▫️‘Extremely disturbing videos:’ Miami man hoarded child sex abuse videos, police say
Miami man hoarded child sex abuse videos and messaged underage girls, police say. Officers have confiscated his illegal collection and put him behind bars. After more than a year-and-a-half investigation, Miami police arrested and charged Junior Del Villar Hernandez, 39, Wednesday with 15 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child. The investigation started in September 2022 when 15 videos of child sex abuse were uploaded online, police said in a statement.
After exercising a search warrant, police confirmed their suspicions, discovering several “extremely disturbing videos” showing sexual acts on minors as young as 2 years old, the report read.
Detectives also uncovered that Hernandez was messaging underage girls on social media.
» https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article288316515.html 
»

▫️Seven charged in Sioux City prostitution sting
Sioux City police say seven men were charged in a recent prostitution sting. Sergeant Tom Gill says the Special Police Investigations Unit conducted the sting at a local hotel on two recent nights.
The seven who were arrested ranged from a 17-year-old from South Sioux City, to a 59-year-old from Maquoketa. Two of the men were from Sioux City, one from Dakota Dunes, one from Orange City, and one from Dakota City, Nebraska.
https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/05/03/seven-charged-in-sioux-city-prostitution-sting/ 

▫️Convicted sex offender tries to buy child, feds say
A convicted sex offender attempted to buy a young girl so he could sexually abuse her just two months after he was released from prison, federal officials said. The 36-year-old from Alvin will now spend the next 60 years in prison. In August 2022, Keenan Edward Howe communicated with someone he believed to be a “father with access to minor children,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Southern Texas said in a May 1 news release. The “father” was an undercover FBI agent, officials said. Within online exchanges, Howe said he had abused children in the past and wanted to “drug and violently sexually abuse the children,” according to officials.
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/nation-world/national/article288282715.html 

▫️Woman allegedly hired children to smuggle drugs in body
A federal judge has set a June 3 trial hearing for San Diego women investigators allege recruited minors to smuggle drugs from Mexico in their bodies.
Shannon Pollard and Amy Lennen are facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine while armed with a firearm.
» https://youtu.be/rMuCbWMnSiE  (VIDEO)
» https://www.abc27.com/border-report-tour/woman-allegedly-hired-children-to-smuggle-drugs-in-body/

▫️Ex-ICE director: Cartels have long used children as smugglers
Former Chief U.S. Border Patrol and Retired ICE Director Ron Vitiello discusses how cartels recruit minors to smuggle drugs from Mexico in their bodies.

▫️Warren man admits to several charges related to human trafficking in Oakland County
A 30-year-old Warren man has pleaded guilty in Oakland County Circuit court to human trafficking a minor, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
James Madison-Cranford entered pleas to three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, and one count each of human trafficking a minor for commercial sexual activity, accepting earnings from prostitution, transporting a person for the purpose of prostitution, conducting a criminal enterprise, assault by strangulation and assault with a dangerous weapon.
» https://www.macombdaily.com/2024/05/04/warren-man-admits-to-several-charges-related-to-human-trafficking-in-oakland-county/
» https://hoodline.com/2024/05/warren-man-pleads-guilty-to-human-trafficking-and-related-felonies-faces-sentencing-in-june/
» https://www.mlive.com/news/2024/05/michigan-man-pleads-guilty-to-human-trafficking-a-minor-with-online-ads.html 

▫️Man charged with sex trafficking and two other felonies in Grand Island case
LINCOLN, Neb.  – A Kansas man was arrested Friday on three felony sex crime charges.
Logan Runnion, 34, was charged with sex trafficking of a minor, enticement by electronic communication and sexual assault with the use of an electronic communication device.
In April, Runnion contacted an undercover Grand Island Police Department investigator’s social media account. The investigator was posing as an underage female.
»

▫️Hudson elementary school teacher had inappropriate relationship with student, charges allege
Wisconsin elementary school teacher, 24, busted for ‘making out’ with 5th-grader — three months before wedding
HUDSON, Wis. — A western Wisconsin elementary school teacher is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with one of her students, according to a complaint filed in St. Croix County on Thursday.
Twenty-four-year-old Madison Bergmann, of St. Paul, was charged with one count of first-degree child sexual assault with a child under age 13. According to charging documents, police were called to River Crest Elementary School in Hudson "regarding inappropriate conduct between a current teacher and a 5th grade student" — an 11-year-old boy.
According to her social media, Bergmann was set to be married in July — less than three months from when she was arrested.
» https://youtu.be/4VDZOwdJw8A  (VIDEO)
» https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/hudson-rivercrest-elementary-teacher-charges-madison-bergmann/
» https://nypost.com/2024/05/03/us-news/wisconsin-elementary-school-teacher-madison-bergmann-arrested-for-making-out-with-student/

▫️Former South MS community college employee arrested for child exploitation, sheriff says
Pearl River County Sheriff's Department Arrests Megan Leigh Boles on Exploitation Charges
On Tuesday, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Investigators announced the arrest of Megan Leigh Boles on charges related to the exploitation of children.  Boles, whose age and place of residence were not disclosed by authorities, was taken into custody without incident at the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department office.
It is unclear what that investigation found. The sheriff’s department said it would release no other details “out of respect for the privacy, security, and healing process of the victims, and their families and/or guardians.”
The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with relevant information or concerns regarding this case to come forward and assist with the investigation.
» https://www.picayuneitem.com/2024/05/pearl-river-county-sheriffs-department-arrests-megan-leigh-boles-on-exploitation-charges/
» https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/crime/article288198775.html 

▫️Co-owner of Las Cruces daycare charged with sexual assault of child
The Las Cruces Police Department arrested the co-owner of a now shuttered daycare facility after investigators learned the 78-year-old man allegedly sexually assaulted a young child.
Juan Cardiel, 78, was arrested Wednesday, May 1. He is charged with four second-degree felony counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor.
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/crime/2024/05/03/co-owner-of-las-cruces-daycare-charged-with-sexual-assault-of-child/73560448007/ 

▫️ERO Boston apprehends Guatemalan citizen arrested locally for first-degree child molestation | ICE
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston apprehended an unlawfully present Guatemalan national recently arrested by Rhode Island police on first-degree child molestation and domestic assault charges. ERO Boston officers in Providence arrested the 22-year-old Guatemalan national April 10. Local judicial authorities released the Guatemalan citizen from custody before ERO Boston was provided an opportunity to assume his custody.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-boston-apprehends-guatemalan-citizen-arrested-locally-first-degree-child 

▫️Haverstraw man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of two children
Rockland County - Alejandro Perez, 34, of Haverstraw, New York pleaded guilty to Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree (Class B Felony) and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (Class D Felony) before the Honorable Anne B. Bianchi on April 16, 2024.
Starting in the summer of 2021 and throughout the course of the next two years, the defendant subjected two children to sexual abuse on multiple occasions. The youngest victim was eleven years old,
The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on July 30, 2024
https://rocklandtimes.com/2024/05/04/haverstraw-man-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-abuse-of-two-children/ 

▫️Oklahoma Man Sentenced for Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenses Following HSI Tulsa-Led Tornado Alley Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force Investigation
TULSA, Okla. — An Owasso man was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Hill for federal child sexual abuse material crimes following an investigation by the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation Trafficking Task Force (TACETT), led by HSI Tulsa.
Michael Joseph Moreland, 33, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release for receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography in Indian Country.
The content included photos and videos depicting the abuse of infants and toddlers, bestiality and bondage. Prior to Moreland’s arrest, he was the foremost consumer of child sexual abuse material in Oklahoma, consistently ranking among the top five offenders statewide.
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/05/03/maryland-man-sentenced-traveling-florida-sexual-activity-child 

▫️Douglas Sims, Jr. Sentenced To 30 Years For Sexual Abuse Of Child
In February 2023, the Millbrook Police Department arrested Douglas Sims, Jr. for three counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd degree. He was subsequently indicted by an Elmore County Grand Jury.
Recently, Sims pled guilty to three counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd degree of a 13-year-old child and Circuit Judge Joy Booth sentenced him to serve 10 years for each count and for those counts to run consecutively, for a total sentence of 30 years.
https://elmoreautauganews.com/2024/05/04/douglas-sims-jr-sentenced-to-30-years-for-sexual-abuse-of-child/ 

▫️Child Predator Given Maximum Sentence
A man has received a sentence of up to 20 years in prison after being convicted on charges related to sexually preying on children.
Carlos Concha, 44, was sentenced to maximum consecutive terms on two counts of luring a child with the use of computer technology to engage in sexual conduct.
While the sentence is for 20 years, Concha will be eligible for parole after eight.
https://www.2news.com/news/child-predator-given-maximum-sentence/article_f13e6578-0998-11ef-8a14-4b3535636576.html 

▫️Wyoming Man Honored For Rescuing More Than 3,000 Girls From Illegal Sex Tourism
Last August, Tyler Schwab, founder of Libertas International, was awarded the prestigious "Shield of DIPRO" by the Colombian government for his work combating sex trafficking. Schwab himself was introduced to sex trafficking during his two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dominican Republic.
Operation Archangel: The international joint effort between Colombian law enforcement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Libertas International specifically targets catching American sex tourists traveling to Colombia to have sex with minors.
Michael Roberts, a 41-year-old teacher at an all-girls school in Texas, was charged with illicit sexual abuse of minors in Colombia and sentenced to seven years in U.S. federal prison.
Last week, a pharmacist from Miami, Florida, was arrested at the airport as he attempted to board to board a flight to Bogota, Colombia, to have sex with two girls ages 10 and 12. It was one of many such trips in which he abused trafficked children in exchange for $300,000 Colombian pesos (roughly $77) with the added promise of iPhones if the young victims didn’t cry.
Since launching last year, the operation has led to the arrests of more than a dozen men with 30 more open cases still pending.
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/05/04/wyoming-man-honored-for-rescuing-more-than-3-000-girls-from-illegal-sex-tourism/ 

▫️Woman on her way to work found 5-year-old boy police say was kidnapped in Portland
It started unfolding Thursday night when 5-year-old Tra’Veon Lewis was reported missing in deep Southeast Portland. Cheyenne Stallsworth, 27, found the boy.
31-year-old LeeAnne N. Osborne, was arrested on allegations of second-degree kidnapping and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.
https://www.chronline.com/stories/woman-on-her-way-to-work-found-5-year-old-boy-police-say-was-kidnapped-in-portland,339720 

▫️Event brings awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis
LAKEPORT, Calif. — A special Friday event put the spotlight on the effort to stop the alarming rate of Indigenous people who are victims of crime each year across the nation.
Lake County Tribal Health held the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Day event on Friday afternoon at Xabatin Park in Lakeport to bring awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, or MMIP, epidemic.
The Urban Indian Health Institute reported that there are 5,712 MMIP cases involving women. At the same time, the National Crime Information Center said that, in 2020, 4,276 reports involving American Indian and Alaska Native males were logged into its database.
https://www.lakeconews.com/news/78590-event-brings-awareness-to-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-crisis 
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 
   @ENDHUMANTRAFFICKING

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Police and FBI find abducted 10-month-old from New Mexico alive, one arrested  (UPDATE)
A 10-month-old girl was reported missing in New Mexico after her mother and another woman were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
An Amber Alert was issued for Eleia Maria Torres, according to New Mexico State Police. Law enforcement officials believe the person who kidnapped Torres also murdered her mother and another woman and badly hurt a child.
» https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/fbi-missing-infant-found-alive-suspect-in-custody/ 
»

▫️Numerous Sex Offenders Arrested For Non-Compliance In Morgan County
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrests of more than a dozen registered sex offenders during the months of March and April.
Sheriff Norman Dills says, for the two months, deputies took a proactive approach to checking on random offenders and found that 16 were non-compliant with their sex offender requirements.
Those requirements include, among others, failing to report changes of residence, social media accounts, email accounts, vehicle registration and cell phone numbers. As of Saturday morning, there were nine registered sex offenders in the custody of Morgan County.
https://www.krmsradio.com/numerous-sex-offenders-arrested-for-non-compliance-in-morgan-county/ 

▫️Dayton Little League Coach Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography
On Saturday, May 4, Dayton Deputies with the Lyon County Sheriff's Office arrested and booked Mark Prudente for possession of child pornography.
An investigation found that Prudente is a coach for the Silverada Little League in Dayton. An Emergency TPO was granted overnight banning Prudente from the little league.
https://www.2news.com/news/dayton-little-league-coach-arrested-for-possession-of-child-pornography/article_35b9d38c-0b23-11ef-b2a1-bfb2491ebb6d.html  

▫️Hogansville Man Charged with Child Pornography Following Sting
Early Friday, 64-year-old Stephen Hall was taken into custody after police executed a search warrant at his home.
Officers from Hogansville Police, with the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol SWAT team, apprehended Hall without incident. After the raid, police reportedly uncovered a trove of illegal materials, as Fox 5 Atlanta reported, putting the 64-year-old behind bars on 10 counts of violating the Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act. 
» https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/hogansville-man-arrested-for-possession-of-child-porn
» https://hoodline.com/2024/05/hogansville-man-charged-with-child-pornography-following-sting-operation/ 

▫️Former TN music producer convicted of child sex crimes, Victim of rape by music producer found guilty finds healing in sharing story
FRANKLIN, Tenn.  — A former music producer from Franklin was convicted of sex crimes against a minor Wednesday, Franklin Police said. Samuel “Sammy” Sylvester, 55, was found guilty of seven counts of statutory rape and two counts of sexual battery by an authority figure by a Williamson County jury.
Sylvester has not been sentenced yet. Franklin Police also believe there are more victims out there and they’re encouraging them to come forward.
» https://youtu.be/aFo-jHqNPzM  (VIDEO)
» https://youtu.be/LgsI-e9IEJ4  (VIDEO)
» https://www.wsmv.com/2024/05/04/victim-rape-by-music-producer-found-guilty-finds-healing-sharing-story/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/former-franklin-music-producer-convicted-of-child-sex-crimes/  (VIDEO)

▫️Teacher sex abuse cases expose 'flaw' in how Minnesota schools report misconduct
(FOX 9) - When a former teacher was charged with having sex with a student earlier this year, police records indicated he had already been fired from a St. Paul charter school.
But he wasn’t. 
Personnel records obtained by the FOX 9 investigators reveal Brandon Bunney was not actually terminated by the Hmong College Preparatory Academy.
Instead, his teaching contract was "rescinded" last May after a staff member alerted school leadership about boundary concerns with a student.
» https://www.fox9.com/news/teacher-sex-abuse-cases-expose-flaw-in-how-minnesota-schools-report-misconduct   (VIDEO) 
»

▫️School sex abuse victim uses his tragedy to close gap in law
Lincoln Singh was 13 years old when Bagley High School resource officer Neil Henry Dolan started pulling the seventh grader out of class and sexually abusing Lincoln in his office.
Last year, the former Clearwater County sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to up to 36 years in prison. Dolan, 36, had already pleaded guilty in 2021 for abusing other minors at the school and at a Becker County camp. Lincoln, now 20 and living in Brainerd, is suing the school district and sheriff's office.
But to the Singh family, having Dolan go to prison didn't seem enough. They wanted to ensure other families don't go through what they went through.
https://www.startribune.com/school-sex-abuse-victim-uses-his-tragedy-to-close-gap-in-law/600363950/ 

▫️In court: Victims provide details of indecency allegations against pastor
Three women who say they were molested by a Wichita Falls preacher when they were children took the stand Thursday in 78th District Court.
They testified against Ronnie Allen Killingsworth, 78, longtime pastor of Rephidim Church. He is on trial on six counts of indecency with a child in connection with three former members of his church.
Before a packed courtroom, one victim testified she was 5 years old when she went into Killingsworth’s office, and he sat her on his lap.
» https://eu.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2024/05/02/in-court-victims-provide-details-of-indecency-allegations-against-pastor/73548421007/
» https://www.aol.com/packed-courtroom-victims-details-indecency-001640900.html 

▫️Man busted twice in 2023 for trying to have sex with minors gets 20 years in one case
RENO, Nev.  -A man arrested twice months apart in 2023 for trying to have sex contact with minors was sentenced to 20 years in prison on one of those cases.
Carlos Heringer Concha, 45, could be paroled in eight years after pleading guilty to two counts of luring a child to have sex using a computer, the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office said this week.
However, Concha still faces sentencing in June for federal charges of crossing the state line to have sex with a child.
https://www.kolotv.com/2024/05/04/man-arrested-twice-2023-trying-have-sex-with-minors-sentenced-20-years-one-case/ 

▫️Lily: Surviving Child Sex Trafficking
Saved in America Scholarship Recipient, Lily, was a survivor recovered with the assistance of our private investigators. Her story was featured on HBO Vice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lj1p7_PaYA

▫️North Idaho counties report increase of sexual assault
As reports of sexual assault increase throughout North Idaho, advocates, law enforcement and prosecutors are trying to keep up.
“Since our community is growing, so does violent crime,” said Leslie Johnson, director of development and communication for Safe Passage. “How do we, as a community, respond to that?”
https://cdapress.com/news/2024/may/06/kootenai-shoshone-bonner-and-boundary-counties-look-to-combat-sex-related-crimes/  

▫️Kendrick Lamar Accuses Drake of Sex Trafficking and Employing Sex Offenders on “Meet the Grahams”
» https://thesource.com/2024/05/04/kendrick-lamar-accuses-drake-of-sex-trafficking-and-employing-sex-offenders-on-meet-the-grahams/
» https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-rose/breaking-down-everything-kendrick-said-about-drake-on-meet
» https://pagesix.com/2024/05/04/entertainment/drake-shuts-down-claim-he-has-a-hidden-daughter-amid-rap-beef-with-kendrick-lamar/ 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️U.S. Marshals search for Las Vegas child sex offender
LAS VEGAS  — The U.S. Marshals are searching for a child sexual predator who is believed to be in Las Vegas or the Philippines.
Alan Molina Buitre, 61, is wanted for a supervised release violation. He was originally convicted of having child pornography. Buitre received a sentence of five years and was placed on lifetime supervision.
Anyone with information is asked to contact U.S. Marshals officials at (877) 926-8332.
» https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/u-s-marshals-search-for-las-vegas-child-sex-offender/  (VIDEO)
 » https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/10-10372/10-10372-2012-03-15.html
»

▫️Operation Cyber Spring Sting: Cyber-predator sting in Citrus County leads to 15 arrests
LECANTO, Fla. - The Citrus County Sheriff says perverts tried to play their game in the wrong town.
On Monday, he announced the arrest of 15 people who traveled from all over the region to have sex with underage teens. The sheriff's office released a video showing bits and pieces of the arrests being made.
Charges ranged from transmission of harmful material to a minor to solicitation of a minor.
» https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/citrus-county/operation-cyber-springsting-ccso-to-announce-results-of-cyber-predator-sting-operation/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox13news.com/news/watch-live-cyber-predator-sting-in-citrus-county  (VIDEO)
» https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-citrus-hernando/undercover-operation-ends-in-arrests-of-15-cyber-predators-in-citrus-county-ccso 

▫️Multi-Agency Sting Operation Nabs 3 Sexual Predators and Solicitors in Texarkana
In a collaborative effort involving law enforcement agencies from across the Texarkana region, a recent undercover operation targeting sexual predators and solicitors has resulted in multiple arrests.
During the course of the multi-day operation, three men were arrested for Online Solicitation of a Minor after engaging in communication with undercover officers posing as underage girls. The suspects, identified as Dylan Dickens (32), Jesus Rosa Rosales (37), and Keith Godfrey (54), were apprehended upon arriving at the designated meeting locations provided by the undercover officers.
https://texarkanafyi.com/multi-agency-sting-operation-nabs-sexual-predators-and-solicitors-in-texarkana/ 

▫️Florida man facing two counts of human trafficking of two 15-year-olds
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A Palm Beach County man is facing several charges including two counts of human trafficking of two 15-year-old girls.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the father of one of the girls found several Snapchat text messages and Cash App transactions. The report states the messages indicated the two were selling pictures and videos, performing sex acts with each other and adult males for everything from chocolate candy to door dash gift cards.
According to investigators, the phone number on the Snapchat account was associated with Michel Gede who goes by the name 'Too Nice.'
Gede is facing several charges including human trafficking.
https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-human-trafficking-arrest-snapchat-crime/60705328 

▫️DPS Announces Featured Fugitive for May
AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender Marcos Christopher Alonzo is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $4,000 during May 2024 if the tip is received this month.
Marcos Christopher Alonzo, 46, of Hutchins, has been wanted since February 2023, when a warrant was issued out of Dallas County for his arrest for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements. In 2005, Alonzo was convicted of indecency with a child by contact following an incident with a 5-year-old girl.
To be eligible for cash rewards, Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
https://www.dps.texas.gov/news/dps-announces-featured-fugitive-may 

▫️Police: Man tried to kidnap toddler from Tennessee church parking lot
DAVIDSON COUNTY, Tenn.  — A repeat offender was re-arrested Sunday and is accused of trying to steal a mother's car and attempting to kidnap her son from a church parking lot.
Arresting documents obtained by FOX 17 News say the woman was getting her three-year-old son out of his car seat before church when she was approached by a suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Javaunn Brown.
https://foxrochester.com/news/nation-world/police-man-tried-to-kidnap-toddler-from-madison-church-parking-lot  (VIDEO) 

▫️Man arrested after found with missing North Carolina teen in Alabama
CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C.  — A man has been arrested after he was found with a missing 16-year-old girl from Cabarrus County, authorities confirmed with QCN.
According to the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, when the teen was reported missing, it was believed she left voluntarily with Richard Michael Maybach, 33, in a white BMW, possibly heading out of state.
He has been charged with abduction of a child in North Carolina and is awaiting extradition. Authorities said further charges may be coming in both North Carolina and Alabama.
https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/man-arrested-after-found-with-missing-north-carolina-teen-in-alabama/ 

▫️Police: Man was high on meth while trying to kidnap girl in TJ Maxx
FORT WAYNE, Ind.  – A man on probation for attacking a 15-year-old in 2023 told Fort Wayne Police he was high on meth last month when he allegedly tried to kidnap a 13-year-old girl at T.J. Maxx, according to newly released court documents.
Caleb Rush, 19, was arrested Friday and charged with attempted kidnapping, criminal confinement and battery to a minor under the age of 14.
https://fox59.com/news/police-man-was-high-on-meth-while-trying-to-kidnap-girl-in-tj-maxx/amp/ 

▫️Pittsburgh man accused of kidnapping 12-year-old girl
PITTSBURGH  — A 25-year-old Pittsburgh man is accused of kidnapping a 12-year-old girl from Pleasant Hills.
Dhiran Rai is facing a list of charges in connection with the incident, including simple assault, corruption of minors, kidnapping of a minor, evading arrest or detention on foot, and criminal trespass. 
https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-man-accused-kidnapping-young-girl-pleasant-hills/ 

▫️ Chamblee police lieutenant arrested on child porn distribution charges
PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. - A 48-year-old Georgia police lieutenant was arrested, accused of sharing child pornography online. 
Roy Collar, who lives in Paulding County, was charged with two counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material on Monday, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Collar’s online activity after receiving a Cyber Tipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
» https://youtu.be/WK92CHtULpI
» https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/chamblee-police-officer-arrested-sexual-exploitation-children-gbi/85-bb6e63a0-7912-4cdc-8a2f-0ba6c7e0b35a
» https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-05-06/gbi-arrests-paulding-county-man-sexual-exploitation-children
» https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/chamblee-police-lieutenant-arrested-on-child-porn-distribution-charges

▫️Boca woman charged with livestreaming child sex abuse asks to get out of jail
BOCA RATON, Fla. — A Boca Raton woman charged with livestreaming child sexual abuse has filed a motion asking for pre-trial release.
Walquiria Cassini's lawyer wrote the charges were a result of a bitter ex-partner brainwashing the child victims. Cassini, an ultrasound technician is facing capital child sex charges against two children – the youngest well under 10 years old.
Cassini's boyfriend, Ryan Londono, faces charges of not only forcing the children into sex acts, but allegedly performing on camera for anonymous people to watch on various streaming platforms.
Cassini's 20-year-old son, Matthew Cassini is also facing charges of having sex with the children.
» https://youtu.be/cFn4p4KAJuk  (VIDEO)
» https://www.wpbf.com/article/boca-woman-charged-livestreaming-child-sex-abuse-out-jail-florida/60704481

▫️Colorado's top 10 sex offenders hid out in Cheyenne for four years
A Colorado child molester who hid out in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for four years has agreed to plead guilty to failing to register as a sex offender in either state.
Ben Murray was No. 8 on Colorado’s 100 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list when he was found in Cheyenne after being convicted of attempted sexual assault of a child in 2015. He was sentenced to six years in prison in Colorado, but he was released for Parole will occur around November 2019, according to an evidentiary affidavit filed last month in the federal U.S. District Court for Wyoming.
Murray reached a plea agreement Friday, but details of the deal have not been made public.
https://www.topillo.es/tybso/top/07/18GDNpT680Id4.html 

▫️Missouri man arrested after allegedly attempting to meet a 814 PredHunters group decoy posing as minor for sex
David Wayne Patterson, 55, has been jailed on several charges after he allegedly attempted to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old girl for sex in Punxsutawney on April 25.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Punxsutawney Borough Police were contacted by the 814 PredHunters group on April 24 in regards to Patterson allegedly wanting to meet with the group’s decoy posing as a 15-year-old minor. 
https://www.thecourierexpress.com/news/missouri-man-arrested-in-punxsutawney-after-allegedly-attempting-to-meet-decoy-posing-as-minor-for/article_230ae970-0bc7-11ef-bc91-9bfbd8d13b97.html 

▫️Undocumented immigrant accused of sexual assault in Palm Beach County
On Saturday, Marvin Perez Lopez was arrested by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 13.
The incident comes just months after three undocumented immigrants from Guatemala were also accused of forcing a woman into a car and sexually battering her at two locations in Palm Beach County, officials said.
The suspects, 29-year-old Andres Felipe Morales, 30-year-old Darinel Ordonez Jjimenez, and 31-year-old Marcos Felipe Ramirez, were arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County jail.
Morales was facing charges of sexual assault and false imprisonment and the others are being held on two counts of felony criminal conspiracy.
» https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/undocumented-immigrant-arrested-after-allegedly-kidnapping-sexually-assaulting-minor-in-florida/3303565/  (VIDEO) 
»

▫️Warren man pleads to running prostitution business, sex trafficking
A 30-year-old Warren man, who has been convicted of other crimes, pleaded guilty in Oakland County Circuit Court on Friday to a long list of charges related to prostitution and human trafficking and is set to be sentenced next month.
James Madison-Cranford is accused of threatening and forcing a teenage girl to have sex with him and others and running a prostitution business that used the internet to pimp out an underage girl going back to 2017.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2024/05/06/warren-man-prostitution-sex-trafficking/73584615007/ 

▫️Police say local man arrested for downloading 'sadistic' AI child porn and filming unsuspecting teens at mall
IDAHO FALLS — An Idaho Falls man was arrested after police say they found thousands of AI images depicting children in sexual and even violent scenarios.
Loyd Perry, 52, was arrested Wednesday and federally charged with obscene visual representation of the sexual abuse of children.
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/05/police-say-local-man-arrested-for-downloading-sadistic-ai-child-porn-and-filming-unsuspecting-teens-at-mall/ 

▫️Lawsuit alleges decades of child sex abuse at Illinois juvenile detention centers statewide
CHICAGO  - Child sexual abuse at Illinois juvenile detention centers was pervasive and systemic for decades, according to disturbing accounts in a lawsuit filed Monday by 95 men and women housed at the youth centers as children.
The lawsuit details alleged incidents of abuse from 1996 to 2017, including gang rape, forced oral sex, beatings and groping of children by corrections officers, sergeants, nurses, therapists, a chaplain and others at nine youth centers. Many plaintiffs said they were threatened or rewarded to keep quiet.
"The State of Illinois has allowed a culture of abuse at Illinois Youth Centers to flourish unabated," the 186-page complaint said.
» https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-13388583/Lawsuit-alleges-decades-child-sex-abuse-Illinois-juvenile-detention-centers-statewide.html
» https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/lawsuit-alleges-decades-of-child-sex-abuse-at-19442308.php 

▫️911 tapes in human trafficking case released
Four men are facing multiple charges and a fifth remains on the run in connection with an Atlanta police investigation into human trafficking.
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/1452120  (VIDEO) 

▫️Trinity Medical Center hosts human trafficking information seminar
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Trinity Medical Center West hosted a seminar Monday afternoon to educate and raise awareness about a growing national problem of human trafficking.
The seminar was to educate people about the problems, the root cause of them, and also help the area learn more about the issues.
The Human Trafficking 101 with an Appalachian Healthcare Focus seminar was a partnership between Trinity Health System and Eyes Up Appalachia and the Forensic Nursing Network.
» https://wtov9.com/news/local/trinity-medical-seminar-highlights-human-trafficking-facts-in-appalachia  (VIDEO)
 » https://www.heraldstaronline.com/news/local-news/2024/05/seminar-educates-on-recognizing-addressing-human-trafficking-in-health-care/
»

  -------------------------

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Undercover stings lead to human trafficking arrests & survivors during NFL Draft in Detroit
The NFL Draft drew huge crowds to Detroit, and with record crowds comes an increased chance for crime, especially human trafficking.
The draft busts resulted in three arrests and 14 women asking for help getting out of their situations. The victims removed from the situations were provided with resources to help them find new paths.
» https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/undercover-stings-lead-to-human-trafficking-arrests-during-nfl-draft-in-detroit  (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/1452108  (VIDEO) 

▫️Coach was 1 of 4 arrested in child predator operation
LANSING, Mich.  — The boy’s basketball coach at Holt High School was one of four men in a multi-jurisdictional “child predator operation” May 2 and 3.
In addition to arresting Muhammad El-Amin, law enforcement from the Lansing Police Department, Eaton County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police arrested three other men, officials at the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Tuesday morning.
Also arrested in the operation were Chad Allan Gober, 46, of Lake Odessa; Cristher A. Medina, 20, of Carthage, MO; and Nelson Aubrey Davon Houck, 33, of Mason.
https://www.wlns.com/6newsinvestigates/holt-coach-was-one-of-four-arrested-in-child-predator-operation/ 

▫️Teacher Arrested For Inappropriate Conduct
On May 6, 2024, detectives arrested Johnathan Sheppard, 38, for inappropriately touching a student and for sending inappropriate text messages during the 2023-2024 school year.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that the Hillsborough County Public School's Security Officer assigned to the charter school, Theresa Cruz, 48, had interfered with the school's initial investigation into the allegations by providing Sheppard with details.
Theresa Cruz was arrested and charged with: Tampering with A Witness (1st Degree Felony) (x2); Obstruction (Resist Without Violence).
Detectives are asking if anyone believes they may have been a victim of Johnathan Sheppard; please call HCSO at 813-247-8200.
This is still an active investigation. The Public Affairs Office will release any update.
https://teamhcso.com/News/PressRelease/648383e4-1080-4a25-be3b-b77412b025d9/en-US 

▫️3 men plead guilty to soliciting of a minor in Smith County
TYLER, Texas  - Three of six men arrested in a 2022 undercover sex solicitation operation pleaded guilty Monday.
Peyton Brewer, 21, of Troup, Kevin Bokoutou, 23, of Dallas, and Jeremy Martin, 44, of Dekalb, were arrested in October of 2022 after Texas DPS conducted an undercover operation to identify and apprehend sexual predators participating in the online solicitation of a minor.
According to Smith County judicial records, all three pleaded guilty in Judge Kerry L. Russell’s court Monday and will be sentenced at a later date.
https://www.kltv.com/2024/05/07/3-men-plead-guilty-soliciting-sex-smith-county/ 

▫️Video shows pursuit that ended with a deadly police shooting in Milwaukee, 47-yo child abuse suspect wanted out of Slinger
MILWAUKEE - A man was shot and killed by a Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) deputy on Milwaukee's far northwest side Sunday night, May 5. 
A news release from the MCSO said Slinger Police Department issued a bulletin late Sunday that it was in search of a man who was facing criminal charges there for alleged domestic violence, exposing himself to a minor, child abuse, and disorderly conduct.
» https://www.fox6now.com/news/man-shot-killed-milwaukee-county-deputy-police-chase (VIDEO) 
» https://youtu.be/dWPeDSHaOfQ

▫️Hanover Man Arrested for Sex Trafficking and Sexual Solicitation of a Minor
The minor female was interviewed by a CPS worker, and she disclosed that she was paid 200 dollars in the form of a gift card for sex.
On May 1, 2024, police executed a search and seizure warrant at the home of David Harry Simkin. David came to the door and was taken into custody. David Harry Simkin, 35, of Hanover was transported to the Calvert County Detention center for processing, where he was charged with sex trafficking and the sexual solicitation of a minor.
https://smnewsnet.com/archives/533198/hanover-man-arrested-for-sex-trafficking-and-sexual-solicitation-of-a-minor/ 

▫️Former Farmington basketball coach on trial for sexual assault charges
FARMINGTON, Mich.  - The trial of a former Farmington High School basketball coach, accused of sexually assaulting two students, began on Tuesday.
Thompkins was charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy – both students at Farmington High School.
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/former-farmington-basketball-coach-on-trial-for-sexual-assault-charges 

▫️Kentucky man arrested on slew of child sexual abuse charges
HOPKINSVILLE, Ky.  - A man is facing a slew of charges, including sexual abuse of a victim less than 12 years old, according to the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office arrested 50-year-old Lucian Gant of Hopkinsville following a six-month investigation. He was arrested on Monday without incident and was booked into the Christian County Jail following a grand jury indictment.
Gant faces five counts of sexual abuse (victim under 12 years old) and two counts of sodomy charges.
https://www.wbko.com/2024/05/07/kentucky-man-arrested-slew-child-sexual-abuse-charges/ 

▫️Yost: 6 indicted in human trafficking, drug ring in Columbus
Six people are facing charges after an investigation into a Northeast Side drug trafficking ring that was also involved in human trafficking, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said.
The charges were filed on April 25 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Yost's office said investigators determined that Timotheus Graham, 38, ran the criminal enterprise, using violence to coerce victims. Graham went by the street name "Blue."
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_OMeO_3FPs
» https://www.10tv.com/article/news/crime/members-of-linden-area-human-trafficking-drug-ring-indicted/530-6ffcc692-374e-44df-8fc2-a1bcdefe1e1c   (VIDEO)
» https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/2024/05/07/major-human-trafficking-and-drug-ring-busted-in-columbus/

▫️Chicago Police Alert Public on Attempted Kidnapping of Teen Girl in 16th District
Community members are on high alert after police reported an attempted kidnapping incident involving a 15-year-old girl in the city’s 16th District. According to the Chicago Police Department, the teenager was approached by an unidentified man while waiting for the bus on Monday morning.
The incident occurred on the 4900 Block of North Central Avenue around 7;30 A.M. The suspect, driving a tan or brown older model SUV with no license plates.
https://hoodline.com/2024/05/chicago-police-alert-public-on-attempted-kidnapping-of-teen-girl-in-16th-district/ 

▫️Man accused of abducting, raping 13-year-olds at Airbnb had plans for OnlyFans, US feds say
Nearly a year ago, two 13-year-old girls were walking down a central California street when they were forced into a car and taken to an Airbnb, where they were raped for days, according to court documents recently filed in federal court.
The criminal complaint charges Reuben Gilliam, the third man inside the car, and Daisy Pollard-Gilliam, who is reportedly the owner of the Airbnb, with a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children.
Gilliam is accused raping the two 13-year-old girls and of having plans to film them for OnlyFans and Pornhub content before they were rescued by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
» https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2024/05/08/man-accused-of-abducting-raping-13-year-olds-at-airbnb-had-plans-for-onlyfans-us-feds-say
» https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article288392680.html 

▫️Mayor of Illinois town Eldorado, 59, is accused of preying on young boys in bombshell $190million child sex abuse lawsuit
The mayor of a small town in Illinois has been accused of sexually abusing young boys while working at a juvenile corrections facility, according to a bombshell new lawsuit.  
Filed in the Illinois Court of Claims, the lawsuit viewed by DailyMail.com claims at least 95 victims were abused while staying at juvenile corrections facilities and lists several repeat abusers.
The longtime mayor of Eldorado, Rocky James, 59, is accused of harassing and assaulting at least six boys in the 1990s and 2000s. He has denied the allegations. 
» https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13391481/Eldorado-Illinois-Mayor-Rocky-James-sexual-abuse-lawsuit.html
» https://people.com/hes-the-mayor-tiny-illinois-town-lawsuit-claims-hes-sex-abuser-preyed-on-incarcerated-boys-8643828 

▫️Mason resident charged for soliciting child in Indiana
LANSING, Mich.  — The now-former vice chair of Mason’s Planning Commission is in the Wells County Jail in Indiana after being arraigned on charges including soliciting a child “to engage in sexual intercourse.”
Seth A. Waxman was charged in Wells Circuit Court, before Judge Kenton Kiracofe, Monday morning on three charges. He faces a charge of child solicitation — solicitation to engage in sexual intercourse or other conduct; a charge of legend drug deception, knowingly possessing a contraband legend drug; and possession of a controlled substance.
A community group with the goal of “protecting our communities and youth against online child predators” has taken credit for Waxman’s arrest. The group, Predator Catchers Inc. Indianapolis, livestreamed his arrest.
» https://www.wlns.com/news/mason-resident-charged-for-soliciting-a-child-in-indiana/ 
»

▫️Woman attempts to smuggle infant, 4 others past Texas border crossing, CBP says
EL PASO, Texas — An American woman attempted to smuggle into the U.S. a Mexican infant and four other individuals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. 
CBP said the woman presented birthday certificates for three children, including a 9-month-old boy. During a secondary inspection, border officers said they determined that the 9-month-old was Mexican and that the birth certificate did not belong to him.
» https://www.borderreport.com/hot-topics/woman-attempts-to-smuggle-infant-4-others-past-texas-border-crossing-cbp-says/
» https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-officers-arrest-woman-attempting-smuggle-five-people-juarez 

▫️ERO Boston apprehends Dominican citizen charged locally with child molestation and sexual assault | ICE
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston apprehended an unlawfully present Dominican national recently arrested by Rhode Island police for first- and second-degree child molestation and first-degree sexual assault. Deportation officers from ERO Boston arrested the 37-year-old Dominican citizen April 15 in Providence.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-boston-apprehends-dominican-citizen-charged-locally-child-molestation-and-sexual 

▫️ERO Boston apprehends Bangladeshi citizen arrested locally for sexual assault of minors
HARTFORD, Conn. — Deportation officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston’s Hartford office apprehended an unlawfully present Bangladeshi national recently arrested by Connecticut police for sexual abuse of minors. Deportation officers arrested the 47-year-old in Litchfield April 22.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-boston-apprehends-bangladeshi-citizen-arrested-locally-sexual-assault-minors 

▫️Ex-tennis prodigy awarded $9MILLION in damages after suing the US Tennis Association over alleged sexual abuse by coach when she was a teenager
A former tennis prodigy was awarded $9million in damages by a jury in federal court in Florida after accusing the US Tennis Association of failing to protect her from a coach she said sexually abused her at one of its training centers when she was a teenager.
The lawsuit, filed by Kylie McKenzie in March 2022, said Anibal Aranda, who was employed by the sport's national governing body for about seven years and later fired, used his position as a USTA coach to get access to vulnerable female athletes and commit sexual battery against them.
Victims of sexual assault are not typically named in publication, but McKenzie agreed to let her identity be used in news coverage about her lawsuit.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-13393009/tennis-kylie-mckenzie-anibal-aranda-sexual-abuse.html 

▫️Florida Sen. Rubio And New York Sen. Gillibrand Intro Bill For Human Trafficking Survivors
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act Tuesday to allow the criminal records of non-violent trafficking survivors to be expunged.
Even after escaping their traffickers, the criminal records of these victims continue to haunt them, making it increasingly difficult to find safe housing, secure employment, and access to educational opportunities.
» https://www.tampafp.com/florida-sen-rubio-and-new-york-sen-gillibrand-intro-bill-for-human-trafficking-survivors/
» https://www.wthitv.com/news/house-gop-advances-2-human-trafficking-victim-protection-bills-as-others-remain-in-limbo/article_dbb801de-0c7a-11ef-ab57-c35df8c84854.html 

▫️Youngstown City Schools raise human trafficking awareness
MAY 15 COMMUNITY EVENT On May 15 at 5:30 p.m. Price Memorial AME Zion Church You Matter Program, in partnership with Youngstown City Schools presents Barbara Freeman, CEO, Director of the Freeman Project, a non-profit organization with the purpose to lead women out of the darkness and bondage of sexual exploitation into the light of life that includes self-sufficiency and progressive living.
DISTRICT EVENT ON MAY 16 Youngstown City Schools families can join Parent Pathways on May 16 at East High School starting at 4:30 p.m. for visitors to stop by and learn more about area summer programs. Information will also be given about safety awareness, human trafficking, and gun safety. There will be giveaways, including gun safety locks on a first come first serve basis.
https://www.mahoningmatters.com/news/local/article288398110.html 
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

[Pompeii]

Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned across the province.

The arrests were announced at a news conference in Scarborough on Wednesday morning.

Police said the multi-jurisdictional case, dubbed Project Aquatic, was launched in February 2024 and included 129 separate investigations from across the province involving online sexual abuse material.

 

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Operation MetaPhile: Undercover operation nets arrests as New Mexico's top prosecutor blames Meta for online predators
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - New Mexico’s top prosecutor announced charges Wednesday against three men who are accused of using Meta’s social media platforms to target and solicit sex with underage children.
The arrests are the result of a monthslong undercover operation in which the suspects connected with decoy accounts that were set up by the state Department of Justice. The investigation began in December around the time the state filed a civil lawsuit against the social media giant, claiming Meta was failing to take basic precautionary measures to ensure children were safe on its platforms.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said during a news conference Wednesday that the suspects communicated and exchanged explicit sexual content through Facebook's messenger app and were clear in expressing a sexual interest in children.
The three defendants in the criminal case were identified as Fernando Clyde, Marlon Kellywood and Christopher Reynolds. Prosecutors are seeking to detain them pending trial on charges that include child solicitation by an electronic communication device.
» https://youtu.be/1GfMoJZfCoc  (VIDEO)
» https://youtu.be/djxffAPOaTs  (VIDEO)
» https://youtu.be/GHnK0o9d7TE  (VIDEO)
» https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/3-alleged-child-predators-arrested-in-sting-operation/  (VIDEO)
» https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/undercover-operation-nets-arrests-new-mexicos-top-prosecutor-110045869
» https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/new-mexico-attorney-general-raul-torrez-announces-arrests-of-suspected-online-predators-following-operation-metaphile/

▫️Operation Sneaky Link: 9 men arrested in Lorain County prostitution bust
AMHERST, Ohio - Nine men were arrested after Amherst police teamed up with the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a prostitution sting. The operation called “Sneaky Link” focused on prostitution, but it was also designed to rescue women who are potentially victims of human trafficking.
Investigators set up dates with unsuspecting Johns at an Amherst hotel. They say these stings sometimes uncover cases of human trafficking ― and that’s why advocates remained at the command center to help.
https://www.cleveland19.com/2024/05/08/9-men-arrested-lorain-county-prostitution-bust/  (VIDEO) 

▫️Human trafficking arrest made in Des Moines, 3 victims rescued
DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines woman has been arrested on human trafficking charges and police say three victims have been rescued following a months-long investigation.
Huirong Zhou, 42, is being held in the Polk County Jail on three felony charges of human trafficking. A search warrant was executed on Wednesday at the business and investigators found three adult female victims inside. They also recovered evidence indicating forced labor and commercial sexual activity.
» https://who13.com/news/metro-news/human-trafficking-arrest-made-in-des-moines-3-victims-rescued/
» https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/crime/des-moines-human-trafficking-investigation-arrest-victims-massage-parlor-updates/524-d60ac0f4-ad46-42bf-9ee9-b8cc3b39f3f7 

▫️What's behind the rise in prostitution arrests in Las Vegas?
The increased numbers do come after major events in town where more funding to stop human trafficking is used according to Metro Police.
Rosie Harris, the Executive Director of the Refuge for Women, works closely with the Human Trafficking Task Force in Las Vegas and helps women leave the sex industry.
So far this year she and her team have helped 46 women.
Refuge for Women (https://refugeforwomen.org/)  is funded by grants and donors and is free for women looking to leave the sex industry. 
https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/whats-behind-the-rise-in-prostitution-arrests-in-las-vegas/  (VIDEO) 

▫️WANTED: Sex offender who goes by Irish, Turtle and X being sought in Colorado
This week we featured number 17, Matthew Stone who also goes by Irish, Turtle and X.
A 24-hour tip line is available to report information and you can remain anonymous: 303-239-5732. Or you can email CDPS_CBI_FugitiveTips@state.co.us.
» https://www.kktv.com/2024/05/08/sex-offender-who-goes-by-iris-turtle-x-among-most-wanted-sex-offenders-colorado/   (VIDEO) 
» https://www.live5news.com/video/2024/05/08/sex-offender-who-goes-by-irish-turtle-x-being-sought-colorado/   (VIDEO)   

▫️WANTED:   Roanoke Rapids police seeking men wanted for statutory sexual offense with child
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.  — The Roanoke Rapids Police Department is looking for two men with outstanding warrants for statutory sexual offense on the same child.
Police said that the investigation revealed that 39-year-old Steven Wayne Bedgood, of Roanoke Rapids, is accused of committing a sex offense against a child in 2017. At the time it happened, the child was four years old. 
The investigation also revealed that 53-year-old Joseph Robert “Bobby Jo” Liles, of Littleton, is also accused of committing a statutory sexual offense with the child in 2023 when the child was 10 years old.
Warrants are out on both Bedgood and Liles on these charges, and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding them. Anyone with information can leave anonymous tips through Halifax County Crime Stoppers at (252) 583-4444 or online.
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/2-men-wanted-for-statutory-sexual-offense-with-a-child-roanoke-rapids-police-say/ 

▫️WANTED: Convicted sex offender wanted in new child rape case
BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Police Department is searching for a convicted sex offender accused of raping a child.
Police say Christopher Ryan Francis, 51, is wanted for first-degree rape and indecent behavior with a juvenile. 
https://www.wbrz.com/news/convicted-sex-offender-wanted-in-new-child-rape-case/ 

▫️WANTED: Texas Child Molester Is A Wanted Fugitive On The Run
Marcos Christopher Alonzo is a Texas man who is wanted right now according to News Channel 6 for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements. There is a reward if there is any information leading to his arrest for $4000 if the tip has been made this month in May.
If anyone has any information about this individual's whereabouts you could be eligible for the cash rewards you will just need to contact 1-800-252-8477.
https://mykiss1031.com/wanted-texas-child-molester-is-a-wanted-fugitive-on-the-run/ 

▫️Operation Blank Space: Four Men Arrested on Child Sexual Exploitation Charges
OCEAN CITY – Four South Jersey men have been arrested by the Police Department and a multijurisdictional task force on multiple charges related to child sexual exploitation.
Law enforcement personnel executed two residential search warrants at undisclosed addresses in Ocean City and filed a range of criminal charges, from attempted obscenity to attempted sexual assault.
» https://capemaycountyherald.com/article/four-men-arrested-on-child-sexual-exploitation-charges/
» https://seaislenews.com/four-south-jersey-men-arrested-child-sex-sting/ 

▫️Teen admits role in human trafficking operation
A teenager whose business was driving people from New Mexico to New York pleaded guilty on May 7 in U.S. District Court, White Plains, to transporting illegal aliens.
Mario Elpidio Chavez Millan, 19, of Chihuahua, Mexico and Albuquerque, New Mexico worked with Mexican “coyotes” to smuggle people into the United States for fees ranging from $10,000 to $18,000 per person, according to court records.
https://westfaironline.com/courts/teen-admits-role-in-human-trafficking-operation/ 

▫️Suspected sex trafficker arrested in Bellevue
BELLEVUE, Wash. — A month-long investigation by the Bellevue Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) ended with the suspect’s arrest and confiscation of weapons and money.
In early April, Bellevue Police answered a call about a possible domestic violence situation in Factoria. When police arrived, they were able to validate concerns of sex trafficking, which the victim confirmed, police said.
At 6:57 a.m. on May 2, Cedric Dorsey, 31-year-old, turned himself in and was arrested for trafficking, promoting prostitution, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
» https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/suspected-sex-trafficker-arrested-bellevue/6GYABDEKPBFRJAJYKC47KAWTSM/
» https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/bellevue-sex-trafficker 

▫️New Hampshire man arrested in White County investigation after young girl went missing
WHITE COUNTY, Ark. – What began as a child missing a school bus on April 29 turned into an arrest of a New Hampshire man at the Memphis airport.
The White County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that 49-year-old Thomas Jordan of New Hampshire was arrested at the Memphis Airport after attempting to board a flight for Orlando, Florida. Investigators said Jordon is facing two felony charges of trafficking of a minor person and internet stalking of a child.
Officials said the investigation began when a juvenile girl was supposed to be on a Beebe school bus but never made it to the school. Records show the girl told investigators she had been having a sexual relationship with Jordan since January.
https://www.kark.com/crime/new-hampshire-man-arrested-in-white-county-investigation-after-young-girl-went-missing/ 

▫️KC Man Indicted for Producing Child Pornography
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing child pornography that depicted the sexual assault of a 3-year-old victim.
Michael Adden, 26, was charged in a 14-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, May 7. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Adden on April 18, 2024, and contains additional charges. Adden remains in federal detention without bond.
The federal indictment charges Adden with 10 counts of producing child pornography involving the child victim between Nov. 14, 2023, and Feb. 6, 2024. Adden is also charged with one count of attempting to produce child pornography, two counts of distributing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/kc-man-indicted-producing-child-pornography 

▫️Outcry Over Muslim Immigrant Doctors Arrested for Brutal Child Abuse; Concerns Raised Over Their Work at VA Hospital With U.S. Military (Video)
Brookfield, Wisconsin – Two Islamic immigrant doctors practicing in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Dr. Iyad Azzam and Dr. Wiaam Taha, are facing serious allegations of child abuse and causing mental harm to a child.
Iraqi immigrant Dr. Azzam, a cardiologist specializing in interventional cardiology, and Dr. Taha, both immigrants, have been charged with two counts of felony child abuse and three counts of causing mental harm to a child. According to prosecutors, the accusations include disturbing accounts of physical violence and psychological trauma inflicted upon a child.
Authorities allege that Dr. Azzam subjected a minor to a prolonged beating using a belt, causing injuries to the child’s head, back, spine, and hands. Dr. Taha is accused of witnessing the abuse and attempting to conceal the evidence by covering bruises with makeup. There are also allegations that Sharia-adherent Dr. Taha may have contributed to the abuse by inflicting harm on her children.
In addition to these allegations, prosecutors claim that Dr. Azzam engaged in further troubling behavior, including choking a child, issuing death threats, and endangering their life by holding them over a railing. The severity of the allegations has prompted legal action against the accused doctors.
» https://rairfoundation.com/outcry-muslim-immigrant-doctors-arrested-brutal-child-abuse/  (VIDEO)
» https://www.fox6now.com/news/brookfield-doctors-charged-child-abuse-mental-harm  (VIDEO) 

▫️Urologist convicted of patient sex abuse, including of minors
NEW YORK  - A New York-area doctor was convicted Wednesday in the yearslong sexual abuse of multiple patients, including four children.
Darius A. Paduch of North Bergen, New Jersey, was convicted by a jury in Manhattan federal court of all 11 counts pertaining to seven patients.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-13397643/Urologist-convicted-patient-sex-abuse-including-minors.html 

▫️Streamers Catch Hollywood Producer Meeting 15-Year-Old Girl, Blast Him With Colored Powder
Popular YouTubers Vitaly and Bradley Martin approached a man, reportedly identified as Hollywood producer and writer Herschel Weingrod, to confront him about allegedly trying to hook up with a fifteen-year-old girl.
https://www.infowars.com/posts/streamers-catch-hollywood-producer-meeting-15-year-old-girl-blast-him-with-colored-powder/  (VIDEO) 

▫️Southern California mother, son sex trafficked 13-year-olds, prosecutors say
A mother and son from Compton are facing charges they forced two 13-year-olds into prostitution.
Daisy Pollard-Gilliam, 41, who is also known as “Queen,” and Reuben Gilliam, 24, who also goes by “Tre,” face numerous counts of sexual and other offenses.
Both are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, the United States Department of Justice said in a news release. In addition, Gilliam is charged with production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/compton-mother-son-sex-trafficked-13-year-olds-prosecutors-say/ 

▫️Behind-the-scenes of human trafficking busts during NFL Draft in Detroit  (UPDATE)
During the NFL Draft in Detroit, police spent two days hunting down suspected human traffickers and busting them. FOX 2 Detroit went along for a behind-the-scenes look at the operation.

▫️New York man arrested for sexually assaulting children
MALONE, N.Y. — A Malone man is facing multiple charges for incidents involving sexual conduct with children.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Malone had been investigating 51-year-old William Brand. Police determined Brand had inappropriate contact with a child under the age of 11.
He was arrested on April 22 and charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, 2nd degree sexual conduct against a child and 1st degree sexual conduct against a child.
Through further investigation, more victims came forward, claiming Brand had inappropriate sexual contact with a child multiple times.
https://www.mynbc5.com/article/new-york-man-sexual-assault-children/60741680 

▫️Police arrest one suspect, search for another accused of sexually abusing child between 2011-2013
John Dehart, 56, was arrested in Philadelphia last month, authorities said. A second suspect in the case, Sarah Miller, 34, remains at large, according to police.
East Hempfield Township Police began investigating the suspects on December 1, 2023, when they were notified by Manor Township Police about alleged sexual abuse by Dehart and Miller against a juvenile victim. The allegations were brought by a witness in a separate investigation, authorities said.
The alleged abuse conducted by Dehart and Miller occurred in East Hempfield Township, when the victim was between the ages of 4 and 6, police said.
» https://www.fox43.com/article/news/crime/wanted-police-search-child-sexual-abuse-lancaster-county/521-0600c32f-6d06-435e-8c63-8fcd207f5ec0
» https://foxbaltimore.com/news/nation-world/parent-charged-with-child-rape-accused-of-holding-naked-child-at-gunpoint-in-basement-lancaster-county-pennsylvania-pa-john-dehart-police-search-sarah-miller-sex-assault-crime 

▫️California girl, 14, is charged with the murder of human trafficking non-profit CEO's daughter
A California teen has been charged with the murder of a the daughter of a human trafficking non-profit's CEO.
The 14-year-old girl, who has not been named, is accused of fatally shooting Kendra McIntyre, 20, near a south Los Angeles elementary school on March 21.
McIntyre was the daughter of Debra Rush, CEO of Breaking the Chains, a Fresno non-profit that helps victims of trafficking.
» https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13395507/Teen-charged-LA-shooting-trafficking-Non-profit-ceo-daughter.html
» https://nypost.com/2024/05/08/us-news/california-14-year-old-girl-arrested-for-murder-of-nonprofit-ceos-daughter-kendra-reana-mcintyre/
» https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/14-year-old-california-girl-arrested-for-murder-of-nonprofit-ceos-daughter-5625474 
» https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/murder-los-angeles-trafficking-arrest-b2541742.html

▫️Former Ohio youth coach tried to buy sex for $80 from girl he thought was 15; Sentenced to prison
A man from East Liverpool and a former youth sports coach was sentenced after being picked up in a sex sting.
Michael Cunningham, 43, was sentenced last week to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony; and attempted compelling prostitution, also a fourth-degree felony.
Investigators say that Cunningham was arrested in July 2023 as part of a Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force investigation, with assistance from the Salem Police Department.
According to Agent Joe Chamberlain, Cunningham tried to buy sex for $80 from who he thought was a 15-year-old girl but was actually an undercover agent.
https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/lisbon-news/former-youth-coach-sentenced-in-sex-sting/   (VIDEO) 

▫️Life sentence given to man in Madison County, Texas
MADISON COUNTY, Texas — On May 1, a man received a life sentence after being found guilty of Human Trafficking and Sexual Abuse of a Child in 2020 by a Madison County Judge.
In August 2020, a 14-yo female victim brought to light what Shawn Allen, the man sentenced, had done to her. According to the Madison County District Attorney's Office, Allen would "take her to trailer houses and force her to have sex for money and drugs." 
https://www.kagstv.com/article/news/crime/man-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-human-trafficking-and-child-sexual-abuse-in-madison-county-tx/499-8502be25-59fb-4768-9c8c-85425be8491b 

▫️Rosemead High alumni say campus was ‘predator’s playground,’ file suit against district
The El Monte Union High School District is facing a lawsuit from students who say they were sexually abused by teachers at Rosemead High School.
Three women filed suit on Monday, but they’re far from alone in detailing sexually predatory behavior from teachers at Rosemead. A report from October titled “The predator’s playground (https://www.businessinsider.com/40-years-of-sexual-misconduct-at-rosemead-california-high-school-2023-9)”  said “all of this behavior likely violated district policy; some of it was criminal.”
“Altogether, I corroborated dozens of instances of sexual misconduct, involving 20 different educators, ranging from lewd remarks about students’ bodies to statutory rape,” Drange wrote. “Grooming was so rampant that in a couple of cases, more than one educator targeted the same girl. Two teachers appear to have maintained sexual relationships with more than one student at the same time.”
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/rosemead-high-alumni-say-campus-was-predators-playground-file-suit-against-district/ 

▫️Lawmakers Urge U.S. Action To Halt China’s Organ Trade
A group of leading China critics in Congress is urging the State Department to step up its efforts to curb Beijing’s gruesome $1 billion forced organ harvesting trade, which targets ethnic and religious minorities, including Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims, Christians, and Falun Gong practitioners.
Six members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, or CECC, sent a letter last week to Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking him to utilize existing agency reward programs to provide monetary incentives for information that will “deter and disrupt the market for illegally procured organs” in China. Rep. Chris Smith, who chairs the CECC, and Sen. Marco Rubio, the commission’s ranking member, joined Democrat Rep. Jennifer Wexton of Virginia and GOP Reps. Michelle Steel of California, Zach Nunn of Iowa, and Ryan Zinke of Montana in signing the letter.
The State Department manages two programs that offer awards of up to $25 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of members of significant transnational criminal organizations.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2024/05/07/lawmakers_urge_us_action_to_halt_chinas_organ_trade_150899.htm

▫️Nebraska bankers announce new private fund to fight human trafficking
LA VISTA — Nebraska’s governor and top prosecutor touted a new effort Wednesday to raise private money for grants to help local schools, law enforcement agencies and nonprofits identify signs of human trafficking and intervene earlier.
Gov. Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers embraced the new HALT Human Trafficking Fund launched this week by the Nebraska Bankers Association during the group’s annual convention at the La Vista Conference Center.
“We have to get the word out,” Pillen said. “We have to bring people to justice and protect our kids. We can’t have human trafficking in the State of Nebraska. It’s unacceptable.”
» https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-governor-looks-target-human-trafficking/60737006  (VIDEO)
» https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nebraska-bankers-announce-new-private-fund-fight-human-trafficking
» https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/08/nebraska-bankers-announce-new-private-fund-to-fight-human-trafficking/ 

▫️Data shows the scope of human trafficking in Macon. Mercer group looks to combat it
Traffick Jam, a Mercer University student-organization, has been working to drive out sex trafficking in Macon since 2015.
Since then, the organization has grown to include over 800 students who work to raise awareness and educate Bibb County high school students about the critical issue.
Human trafficking can take various forms, including sex trafficking, labor trafficking, domestic servitude, slavery and sexual exploitation.
https://www.macon.com/news/local/education/article288387755.html 

▫️Cobb County Police and Rescuing Hope host event focusing on the dangers of human trafficking
The Cobb County Police Department and Rescuing Hope hosted an event focusing on stopping human trafficking.
On Tuesday, the police department and Rescuing Hope joined to discuss the impacts that trafficking is having on children and families in the county and state.
The event was held at North Metro Church and hosted by State Representative Devan Seabaugh, District 34.
Key speakers at Tuesday’s event were Assistant Attorney General Chris Keegan and Rescuing Hope Program Director, Crystal Burdette.
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/cobb-county-police-rescuing-hope-host-event-focusing-dangers-human-trafficking/AY2PRU2MKJHXNPYLENSTNCMUOU/ 

▫️‘Trafficking happens in every school’: Heritage High School students raise awareness of sex trafficking
My Friends Are Not For Sale campaign aims to raise awareness, help keep each other safe with tips.
https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/may/08/trafficking-happens-in-every-school-heritage-high-school-students-raise-awareness-of-sex-trafficking/ 

▫️NC Human Trafficking Awareness event planned
“Life In The Word Worship Center and Hope for Justice – North Carolina, are exited to announce the details of its highly anticipated Human Trafficking Awareness Event. It’s scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 1 pm at the church located at 176 Meadow Drive in Lexington.
https://www.davidsonlocal.com/news/human-trafficking-awareness-event-planned-for-saturday 

▫️Human Trafficking Awareness Forum Tickets, Thu, Jun 13, 2024 at 5:45 PM - Black Box Theatre 120 University Circle Aliso Viejo, CA
Join us at the Black Box Theatre for an eye-opening event focused on raising awareness about human trafficking. Together, we will learn about the realities of this global issue and how we can help combat it. This in-person event will feature engaging speakers, informative presentations, and opportunities to get involved in the fight against human trafficking.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/human-trafficking-awareness-forum-tickets-892356742037 

▫️Human Trafficking Prevention 101 & Self Defense Tickets, Tue, May 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM, 858 West Jackman Street Lancaster, CA
Action for Kids Council is hosting an esential training on Preventing Child Human Trafficking. Learn about human trafficking, how to prevent it, better awareness of your surroundings.
How to react in an emergency and agencies one can contact if you suspect human trafficking. Learn self defense from a juijitsu master. Please wear comfortable, moveable clothes to practice your moves. 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/human-trafficking-prevention-101-self-defense-tickets-902054337807
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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?
▫️Police: Man arrested after trying to kidnap teen in Kalispell
The Kalispell Police Department responded to a report of a physical disturbance at the Town Pump off Cemetery Road and U.S. Highway 93 shortly after 10;15 p.m.
Police arrived and determined the altercation broke out after a man tried to physically pull a 16-year-old boy into his vehicle after what was described as "an attempt to lure the teen", according to a news release.
» https://www.kpax.com/news/crime-and-courts/police-man-arrested-after-trying-to-kidnap-teen-in-kalispell  (VIDEO)» https://youtu.be/ucKq46iZu28

▫️2 arrested in sex trafficking operation in Beaverton, 4 survivors
BEAVERTON Ore. - The two men were arrested in separate incidents during the operation for promoting prostitution.
They have been identified as Keith Kelly, 33, of Portland, and Julius Mitchell, 21, of Auburn WA. During the operation, four women were identified and contacted by BPD after they agreed to engage in sex acts in exchange for payment.
https://www.kptv.com/2024/05/09/2-arrested-sex-trafficking-operation-beaverton/ 

▫️US Marshals and local law enforcement detain kidnapping suspect in Summit County, 2 children in State custody
SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – Two children are now under state protective custody following the arrest of a kidnapping suspect in Silver Creek Village on Saturday, May 4th, by federal officers.
The U.S. Marshals Service led the response to an ongoing child abduction investigation, which came to a close in Summit County. Summit County deputies promptly arrived to secure two children who were present in the parking lot at the time of the arrest.
Gabriel Omar Gigena, a 40-year-old California resident, was apprehended on charges including kidnapping of a minor, parental deprivation of child custody, and child abduction.
https://townlift.com/2024/05/us-marshals-scso-detain-kidnapping-suspect-in-summit-county-2-children-now-in-state-custody/ 

▫️Convicted sex offender wanted in Florida captured in Humboldt
U.S. Marshals in Tennessee Capture New York Sex Offender Wanted in Florida
Humboldt, TN – A coordinated fugitive investigation by U.S. Marshals in Florida and Tennessee has led  to the arrest of Lawrence LaPlante, 68, in Humboldt, Tennessee who was wanted for violating sex offender laws in Florida. 
» https://www.wbbjtv.com/2024/05/09/convicted-sex-offender-wanted-in-florida-captured-in-humboldt/
» https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/press-release/us-marshals-tennessee-capture-new-york-sex-offender-wanted-florida 

▫️Delaware State Police S.O.A.R. Searching for Wanted Sex Offenders - Delaware State Police
The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register or re-register at their current address. If anyone knows the location of these individuals, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
https://dsp.delaware.gov/2024/05/03/delaware-state-police-s-o-a-r-searching-for-wanted-sex-offenders-74/  

▫️Fairfax Resident Arrested for Luring Children
The Attorney General’s Office announced that Nicholas Badger, 20, of Fairfax, Vermont, was arraigned today on four felony counts of Luring a Child, and one felony count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance.
The investigation began when Essex Police Department received a report from concerned parents that a male claiming he was 18 years old was engaging in sexual conversations via social media with their 14-year-old daughter. Further investigation by VT-ICAC and a forensic examination of Mr. Badger’s phone revealed that he was engaging in sexually explicit conversations with multiple minors under 16 years of age, sending them explicit photos and videos, and requesting sexual encounters with them. Investigation to identify and interview the children involved is ongoing.
http://ago.vermont.gov/blog/2024/05/09/fairfax-resident-arrested-luring-children 

▫️7 Visalia massage parlors ordered to close following prostitution investigation, police say
VISALIA, Calif. - Visalia police are cracking down on prostitution at massage businesses.
Over the past two months, officers have been actively investigating nine locations in the city. They say that's resulted in the discovery of seven of them engaging in activities related to prostitution.
As a result, seven employees were arrested.
https://abc30.com/post/visalia-massage-parlor-employees-arrested-prostitution/14789393/  

▫️Women arrested after child found locked in small room with no food, water: Police
STOREY COUNTY, Nev.  — Two women from Nevada are behind bars on a number of charges after a child was found locked in a small room without necessities to live, police said.
The deputy found a child locked in a small room and said he needed immediate medical attention. Police determined the boy did not have access to a bathroom and didn't have food or water. Police said based on the investigation and statements from other people living in the house, Tammy and Nancy Hinds were arrested on child abuse/neglect and imprisonment charges.
Anyone that may have information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Joe Welch at the Storey County Sheriff's Office by calling 775-847-0959.
https://www.wcti12.com/news/nation-world/women-arrested-after-child-found-locked-in-small-room-with-no-food-water-police-tammy-and-nancy-hinds-child-abuse-neglect-imprisonment-welfare-check-medical-attention-storey-county-nevada-gold-hill 

▫️ERO Denver removes fugitive wanted for sex assault and rape in Costa Rica | ICE
DENVER — Officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Denver removed a fugitive wanted in Costa Rica May 7.
Jairo Arnoldo Matamoros Solorzano, 47, is a citizen and national of Costa Rica and is wanted in Costa Rica for rape. Matamoros was removed from Denver to the Juan Santamaria International Airport and was turned over to local authorities in Costa Rica.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-denver-removes-fugitive-wanted-sex-assault-and-rape-costa-rica  

▫️ERO Boston arrests Guatemalan national convicted locally of child rape and indecent assault | ICE
BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested an unlawfully present 25-year-old Guatemalan citizen April 19 in Billerica who was convicted locally of two counts of rape of a child and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child.
On July 28, 2021, the Guatemalan citizen was arrested and arraigned in Woburn on two counts of rape of a child and four counts of indecent assault and battery on child under 14 years of age.
On Nov. 10, 2022, the Middlesex County Superior Court convicted him and sentenced him to two years of state incarceration and two years’ probation.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-boston-arrests-guatemalan-national-convicted-locally-child-rape-and-indecent  

▫️ERO Boston arrests unlawfully present Cape Verde national repeatedly convicted of serial lewd conduct | ICE
BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested an unlawfully present Cape Verdean citizen convicted locally of repeated lewd conduct offenses. Deportation officers from ERO Boston apprehended the 37-year-old Cape Verde national in Dorchester April 24. The Cape Verde national has been convicted of open, lewd conduct and indecent exposure more than 10 times since 2006.
On Jan. 13, 2022, he was convicted of open and gross lewdness in West Roxbury District Court. This conviction nullified his previous legal immigration status.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-boston-arrests-unlawfully-present-cape-verde-national-repeatedly-convicted-serial  

▫️ERO Boston arrests Guatemalan national convicted locally of first-degree child sexual assault | ICE
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested an unlawfully present 55-year-old Guatemalan citizen who was convicted locally of first-degree child sexual molestation/sexual assault. Deportation officers from ERO Boston’s Providence office apprehended him in Providence April 17.
On Dec. 12, 2022, the Guatemalan native was convicted of first-degree child molestation/sexual assault in Providence Superior Court. He was sentenced to 25 years of incarceration, which was reduced to six years with 19 years suspended.
On April 17, 2024, after completion of his six-year sentence, he was released from at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston.
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections contacted ERO Boston’s Providence office to alert officials of the Guatemalan national’s impending release. Deportation arrested him upon his release, and he will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ero-boston-arrests-guatemalan-national-convicted-locally-first-degree-child-sexual 

▫️Multiple migrants arrested at the border
Three migrants were arrested in Hidalgo County, Texas, after being found near a canal, according to NewsNation’s Ali Bradley. Cochise County, Arizona Sheriff Mark Daniels joins Thursday’s special episode, “Crisis at the Border,” with the latest on the arrest.

▫️Texas DPS ride along: Migrants breach wall, lead agents on chase | Dan Abrams Live
Five migrants who breached the southern border wall led Texas Department of Public Safety on a chase Thursday night. NewsNation's Ali Bradley was riding along with agents at the time of the incident, catching the action on live TV. 

▫️Arvada PD arrest after-school care provider, accused of sex assault on child
Arvada police have arrested a man who was a substitute teacher and also worked for before and after-school care providers in Colorado. Justin Joshua Martinez is facing charges of sexual assault on a child and child abuse. 
Anyone with information about the case or the suspect is asked to call the tip line at the Arvada Police Department at 720-898-7171.
» https://youtu.be/SdFY2AKJIGw (VIDEO)
» https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/substitute-teacher-colorado-arrested-accused-sexual-assault-child/

▫️Catholic priest arrested in Texas; SNAP reacts
Police in Garland, Texas, said today in a news release that they had arrested a priest from the Catholic Diocese of Dallas on two felony counts of indecency with a child. We are grateful that law enforcement has charged the clergyman. However, we are concerned that there may be other victims and we urge the Diocese to do outreach. 
The Diocese of Dallas said that it was made aware last week of accusations that Fr. Ricardo Reyes Mata inappropriately touched a juvenile girl at a residence in Garland. According to the Diocese’s statement, Church officials immediately filed a report with Child Protective Services and law enforcement. Fr. Mata was also removed from public ministry.
https://www.snapnetwork.org/catholic_priest_arrested_in_texas_snap_reacts
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/catholic-priest-arrested-in-texas-snap-reacts/  

▫️Survivors reluctant to testify against human traffickers, prosecution challenging
Over the past 10 years, the Multnomah County prosecutors have convicted more people on sex trafficking charges than any other county in the Pacific Northwest.
https://www.kptv.com/2024/05/09/survivors-reluctant-testify-against-human-traffickers-prosecution-challenging/   (VIDEO) 

▫️GP Transco Joins Forces With TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking) to Combat Human Trafficking
» https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/274359061/gp-transco-joins-forces-with-tat-truckers-against-trafficking-to-combat-human-trafficking
» https://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2024-05/62190874-gp-transco-joins-forces-with-tat-to-combat-human-trafficking-200.htm 

▫️'It's happening here in Pittsburgh': Pennsylvania ranks 9th in human trafficking new cases
https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-human-trafficking-pennsylvania/60748117

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Aurora man arrested after allegedly kidnapping, sexually assaulting young girl
AURORA, Colo. — Aurora police have arrested a man suspected of kidnapping and assaulting a young girl who was headed to her bus stop on Friday morning.
On Friday morning, officers with the Aurora Police Department responded to a call involving a child. They learned that an 11-year-old girl had reported that she was kidnapped and sexually assaulted while making her way to the bus stop, police said.
Based on officers' preliminary investigation, a man approached the girl, grabbed her arm and took her to his apartment nearby, where he allegedly assaulted her. The girl was able to escape and found a person to help her call 911, police said.
Police arrested 31-year-old Shukurani Mulenda, who is a registered sex offender, police said. He faces charges of second-degree kidnapping and sexual assault on a child.
» https://youtu.be/5NmsXbHwmzU (VIDEO)
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0Fv6XBP-Co   (VIDEO)
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRUS2mJmgDk   (VIDEO)
» https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/aurora-man-arrested-after-allegedly-kidnapping-sexually-assaulting-girl-walking-to-bus-stop

▫️Man arrested after allegedly attempting to kidnap girl at Emery High School
EMERY COUNTY, Utah — Police have arrested a Castle Dale man after he allegedly attempted to kidnap a girl from Emery High School Friday during a school track meet.
Police were called to the school after the suspect, 37-year-old Quintin Howard Drollinger, was seen by witnesses grabbing a young girl by the waist and covering her mouth near the bathrooms.
» https://www.fox13now.com/news/crime/man-arrested-after-attempting-to-kidnap-emery-high-school-student 
»

▫️APD charging group of ‘vigilantes’ targeting suspected child predators
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque police are charging four people who they say formed a vigilante group to go after suspected child predators. APD officers said they lured a man to a specific location and then confronted him, while taking video.
All four people are facing three charges centered around false imprisonment, two are felonies. They’re in trouble for trapping the man and not allowing him to leave the area.
APD said the group’s leader is 19-year-old Santiago Sanchez. The other three who were helping him are Dominic Martinez, Santiago Tafoya and Marcos Duran.
» https://youtu.be/FtRlI8Nxtj4  (VIDEO)
» https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/albuquerque-police-charging-group-of-vigilantes-targeting-suspected-child-predators/

▫️Woman, neighbor accused of sex trafficking Genesee County girl
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. - A woman and her neighbor are facing dozens of charges stemming from allegations of sex trafficking a relative of the woman.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton outlined 39 charges filed against the 37-year-old woman and 27 charges filed against her 59-year-old neighbor in Grand Blanc Township.
Investigators say the woman sex trafficked her relative to the neighbor numerous times. Police learned of the sexual abuse earlier this month and launched an investigation, which culminated with the two arrests this week.
https://www.abc12.com/news/crime/woman-neighbor-accused-of-sex-trafficking-genesee-county-girl/article_82ea5c80-c9a7-11ed-98d9-db301c8ced15.html 

▫️Predator Catchers Allegedly Bust Hollywood Elite on Date with a Minor
In Tuesday’s episode of a “Catching Predators” series streamed on Kick.com, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, along with DJ Deorro and YouTuber Bradley Martyn, exposed a man as he was allegedly attempting to pick up someone he thought was 15 years old.
Internet sleuths later said the man in the livestream was a notable Hollywood screenwriter.
Martyn confronted him as he was seated next to the purported minor on the outdoor patio of a restaurant in Los Angeles.
https://www.westernjournal.com/predator-catchers-allegedly-bust-hollywood-elite-date-minor/  (VIDEO) 

▫️Twin Falls man arrested for sexual exploitation of child
TWIN FALLS, Idaho  – Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested 21-old Dylan Ray on Tuesday for 15 counts of sexual exploitation of a child.
https://localnews8.com/news/crime-tracker/2024/05/10/twin-falls-man-arrested-for-sexual-exploitation-of-child/ 

▫️Former Idaho Falls cop charged with human trafficking and prostitution
IDAHO FALLS — A local man charged with human trafficking and prostitution was once an Idaho Falls police officer.
According to a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department, Gordon Dennis Shaw served as an officer in the 1990s. Xue Fang Lu, 60, and Shaw, 83, were each charged Thursday with felony human trafficking, felony interstate trafficking of prostitution and felony procurement of prostitution.
» https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/05/former-idaho-falls-cop-charged-with-human-trafficking-and-prostitution/
» https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/idaho/former-southern-idaho-police-officer-among-two-individuals-charged-with-human-trafficking-and-prostitution/article_6e8f4a9d-db45-5c56-8788-25477bb8d3e0.html 

▫️Teacher Arrested For Sexual Offenses
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a former art teacher at Gaither High School for having an inappropriate and sexual relationship with a student.
On May 9, 2024, Brian Singleton, 46, was booked on charges resulting from his involvement in sexual acts against a juvenile victim that took place at the school between September and December 2023.
Singleton is facing the following charges: Sexual Battery (Familial or Custodial Authority) (x2); Solicit Sex Act with a Child (Familial or Custodial Authority)
https://teamhcso.com/News/PressRelease/f3897a34-6b9d-4ef0-b1fe-f4ec1eadf4ed/en-US 

▫️Iowa sex trafficking victim who killed alleged abuser sought by authorities
DES MOINES, Iowa  — An Iowa teenage sex-trafficking victim convicted of fatally stabbing a man whom she accused of abusing her has absconded from her probation, authorities said in court records.
Pieper Lewis, 19, had faced a 20-year prison sentence for the June 2020 fatal stabbing of Zachary Brooks. Lewis had said she was trafficked to Brooks, 37, against her will and forced to have sex with him multiple times at age 15.
» https://www.mymcmurray.com/2024/05/10/iowa-sex-trafficking-victim-who-killed-alleged-abuser-sought-by-authorities/ 
»

▫️Selma man arrested on rape, sexual abuse of a child charges
Adam William Hart from Selma has been arrested on several charges related to sodomy, rape and sexual abuse of a child, said an announcement from the Selma Police Department on Friday.
Hart has been charged with two counts of first degree sodomy, one count of second degree sodomy, one count second degree rape and one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. 
https://selmasun.com/news/selma-man-arrested-on-rape-sexual-abuse-of-a-child-charges/article_883a6790-4227-53f9-af04-ab2d5c0222d4.html 

▫️Report: Two ‘abnormally skinny’ boys found abandoned in Socastee area
HORRY COUNTY, S.C.  – There’s an active investigation underway into how two boys ended up at a stranger’s home in the Socastee area.
The caller told police she heard someone knocking on the side door and she saw two children. When she opened the front door, one of the boys tried to walk inside and told the woman they were cold and hungry. The boys added that they didn’t know who dropped them off or where they were.
“Both victims stated that they didn’t know the man that dropped them off,” the report states. “Both victims stated that the person who dropped them off is the one that kept them locked in a room for extended periods during the previous summer.”
» https://www.foxcarolina.com/2024/05/10/report-two-abnormally-skinny-boys-found-abandoned-socastee-area/
» https://www.wrdw.com/2024/05/10/report-two-abnormally-skinny-boys-found-abandoned-socastee-area/ 

▫️Foster father charged with child molestation
MOULTRIE — As the result of two Colquitt County elementary school teachers noticing sudden changes in one of their students, a foster father was arrested on charges of child molestation. 
By 8 p.m. Monday the foster father was in handcuffs on his way to the Colquitt County jail, Pierce said. He has been charged with child molestation, sexual assault as a legal guardian and enticing a child for indecent purposes. 
https://www.moultrieobserver.com/news/local_news/foster-father-charged-with-child-molestation/article_62364b32-0c83-11ef-8977-4b20b3bcf8c3.html 

▫️How Albuquerque's Violence Intervention Program let a sex offender in schools
4 Investigates uncovered a major oversight that led the city to let a man convicted of sex offenses involving a teen into APS schools a half-dozen times from October through November last year
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPoutmvgzmU   (VIDEO)
» https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/4-investigates-how-albuquerques-violence-intervention-program-let-a-sex-offender-in-schools/   (VIDEO)

▫️Lancaster man charged after sexual abuse of children was discovered through jail calls
A Lancaster man, jailed in connection with a shooting, was later charged with the sexual abuse of children after using the jail phone system to maintain a relationship with a minor, according to a police report.
Isaiah Ramon Cabrera, 23, was arrested following an undisclosed shooting incident and had his phone seized as evidence.
While he was incarcerated, a minor — who confirmed they had a relationship with Cabrera before his arrest — entered their name, address and phone number into the jail system to speak with Cabrera, the report said.
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2024/05/lancaster-man-charged-after-sexual-abuse-of-children-was-discovered-through-jail-calls.html 

▫️Walnut Creek man arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting youth
WALNUT CREEK — A 67-year-old Walnut Creek man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a child more than a decade ago, according to authorities.
The defendant — identified as Kevin Osborne — was arrested on April 30, the Walnut Creek Police Department said in a news release. The alleged acts happened 15 to 20 years ago.
Detectives presented the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which in turn filed two counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 10 and 13 counts of lewd act upon a child.
The defendant remains in custody on $3.3 million bail. The police department said there may be other victims.
“Given the nature of the allegations and the nature of the case, there may be other individuals whom the same suspect sexually assaulted,” the police department said.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at 925-943-5844 or the tip line at 925-943-5865.
https://jnylaw.com/walnut-creek-man-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sexually-assaulting-youth/ 

▫️Q&A: Researcher exposes child labor trafficking as a hidden crime after investigating 132 victims
Children trafficked for their labor often work in public view in restaurants, laundromats, agricultural fields and water parks, but little has been known about their plight.
A new study co-authored by Northeastern University professor Amy Farrell provides insights about these children, those who traffic them and what makes children vulnerable to dangerous work—and conditions that too often rob them of a chance for an education, and leave them exhausted, hungry and sometimes injured.
Farrell, the director of Northeastern's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, answered questions from Northeastern Global News about what researchers discovered in their investigation of 132 victims, as well as their recommendations for a better future for trafficked children.
https://phys.org/news/2024-05-qa-exposes-child-labor-trafficking.html 

▫️Worthington youth minister downloaded over 1,000 images of child sex abuse material, feds say
Andrew Brown, 49, was accused in the case after investigators found 392 gigabytes of material involving child sexual abuse on the BitTorrent network.
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSYzEnyzBCw   (VIDEO)
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Krl-MAj7Y   (VIDEO)

▫️Washington AG to investigate Catholic Church's handling of child sex abuse allegations
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Thursday an investigation into the Catholic Church's handling of child sexual abuse allegations.
Ferguson, survivors, and advocates spoke during a press conference in Seattle.
Ferguson announced that he is taking the Catholic Church to court, saying that the Archdiocese of Seattle refuses to hand over documents on child sexual abuse committed by priests.
In a statement, the archdiocese expressed surprise, adding that it has been working with investigators ever since the AG requested the files last summer.
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM4PFf0Gv3k   (VIDEO)
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfLYLu0cJmw   (VIDEO)
» https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryKO7-x-I4U   (VIDEO)

▫️California Pastor Arrested for Alleged Sexual Abuse of Foster Children
A California pastor has been arrested following allegations he sexually abused two foster children under his care, according to a press release published by the Hesperia Police Department last week.
Jose Manuel Lozano, 54, served as a bilingual pastor at Zion Assembly Church of God in Hesperia, California, an affiliate church of Zion Assembly Church of God International, according to the LA Times.
» https://julieroys.com/california-pastor-lozano-arrested-alleged-sexual-abuse-foster-children
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/california-pastor-arrested-for-alleged-sexual-abuse-of-foster-children/ 

▫️At least 20 allegations of abuse against former Austin pastor
The revelations of sexual misconduct caused an upheaval for the church. In February, Gethsemane’s longtime senior pastor submitted his letter of retirement after some of the women who came forward accused him of knowing about the sexual misconduct and failing to act. The pastor said he refutes accusations he knew of misconduct, and it was his time, at the age of 82, to move on to the next chapter.
According to Briner’s investigative report, there were at least 20 people with credible allegations against Gethsemane’s former assistant pastor, Vance Daniel, who died in 2000.
» https://www.kxan.com/investigations/at-least-20-allegations-of-abuse-against-former-austin-pastor/
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/at-least-20-allegations-of-abuse-against-former-austin-pastor/ 

▫️40 Year Prison Sentence Imposed For Hickory Man Charged In Federal Child Porn Case
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Roland Vance Watson, 55, of Hickory, N.C., was sentenced today to 40 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for producing child pornography and committing a felony involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. According to court records, in 1991, Watson was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in New Jersey. 
» https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/repeat-sex-offender-sentenced-40-years 
»

▫️Lindale Man Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Mentally Disabled Child
Floyd County Judge William Sparks sentenced David Wayne Huether, 63 of Lindale, to 30 years in prison and life of probation after being convicted of sexually abusing a mentally disabled child back in 2018.
Huether is charged with sexual battery, sodomy, and exploitation and intimidation of an elderly or disabled person.
https://coosavalleynews.com/2024/05/lindale-man-sexually-assaults-man-with-diminished-mental-capacity/ 

▫️Temple Sholom: Help Prevent Human Trafficking
You are invited to join us for Dr. Susan Neigher’s virtual presentation Human Trafficking 101 on Thursday, May 16th from 7;30 pm – 9;00 pm. on Zoom.
Dr. Neigher will not only raise our awareness of the prevalence of human trafficking and impact it has on the victims, but also help identify ways we as a community can combat human trafficking.
https://www.jfedgmw.org/event/temple-sholom-help-prevent-human-trafficking/ 

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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️U.S. Marshals Help Recover Critically Missing Teen
Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), District of Maryland, and Anne Arundel County Police Department collaborated with the Baltimore City Police Department to recover a critically missing juvenile in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Baltimore, MD. The female minor, 14, was located and recovered on the evening of May 6 as part of an ongoing interagency public safety initiative. 
The goal of Operation Silver Shield, which runs from May through August, is to protect the community by prioritizing the recovery of critically missing children and arresting those offenders who pose the greatest risk to public safety.
Anyone with information on a non-compliant/wanted sex offender, violent fugitive, or critically missing child is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office at 1-866-4WANTED or submit a USMS Web Tip.
https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/press-release/us-marshals-help-recover-critically-missing-teen 

▫️Mayo Clinic therapist arrested after trying to meet up with who he thought was an 8-year-old girl
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A local man employed at Mayo Clinic finds himself behind bars after allegedly attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with what he believed to be an eight-year-old girl.
Shockwaves rippled through the community as neighbors grappled with the startling revelations. According to the arrest report, Chad Sadlowski, a 33-year-old respiratory therapist at Mayo Clinic, engaged in communication via the app Whisper, believing he was conversing with a young girl. However, it was actually an undercover officer.
Sadlowski faces serious charges including traveling to meet after using a computer to solicit parent/guardian consent, solicitation via computer of a child’s guardian to allow a sexual act, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and producing/promoting performance involving sexual acts of a minor. He is currently held on a $250,000 bond.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/mayo-clinic-therapist-arrested-after-trying-meet-up-with-who-he-thought-was-an-8-year-old-girl/Y6RQREX4ABCWDCH2SFHTQCYCLQ/ 

▫️Lexington man charged in Morehead KSP child exploitation investigation
MOREHEAD, Ky.  — A Lexington man has been charged in connection with an ongoing investigation in Morehead, according to the Kentucky State Police Department (KSP).
KSP Morehead said in a news release Saturday that it had received a complaint of “inappropriate photos being sent to a juvenile by an adult.” Authorities said investigators discovered that Terence Clemons, 50, reportedly sent inappropriate photos of himself to a minor.
KSP said investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Clemons and that he was charged with four counts of prohibited use of electronic communication to procure a minor.
https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/lexington-man-charged-in-morehead-child-exploitation-investigation/ 

▫️Tennessee Man Charged With 20 Counts of Child Sexual Abuse
An undercover investigation in Tennessee ended with the arrest of a Grand Junction man on multiple charges of sexual abuse of a minor.
State agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children squad launched an investigation on April 15 after learning of “thousands of files of child sexual abuse material” distributed from an address in Grand Junction, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said.
On May 10, agents executed a search warrant at the address with additional support by Homeland Security Investigations and the Hardeman and Madison County Sheriff’s Offices, seizing multiple devices.
After the search, they arrested 69-year-old Charles Vinyard, charging him with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and 10 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.
https://www.crimeonline.com/2024/05/11/tennessee-man-charged-with-20-counts-of-child-sexual-abuse/ 

▫️$4K reward offered for North Texas wanted sex offender
The reward for Marcos Christopher Alonzo, a Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender and March's featured fugitive, has been increased to $4,000 for information leading to his arrest if the tip is received before the end of May.
Alonzo, 46, is wanted for failure to register as a sex offender. He has been wanted since Feb. 2023, when he fled from his last known address in Hutchins, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/reward-increased-for-wanted-sex-offender-in-north-texas/3538699/ 

▫️NJ man charged with sexually assaulting 2 children under 13
A northeastern New Jersey man has been arrested on suspicion he sexually and physically assaulted two children under the age of 13, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Friday.
Milton Guallpa-Guaman, 45, of Rochelle Park, was arrested in Paramus, just west of New York City, following an investigation led by Musella and the Rochelle Park Police Department. Further investigation revealed he had also sexually assaulted another child under the age of 13 “on numerous occasions,” the office said.
Guallpa-Guaman was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/05/11/rochelle-park-nj-man-charged-sexual-assault-children/ 

▫️FBI Arrest Maryland Man Following Indictment on Charges of Distribution of Child Pornography
WASHINGTON – Joseph Ruben Baer, 20, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was taken into custody today following an indictment charging him with distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott, of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
» https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/fbi-arrest-maryland-man-following-indictment-charges-distribution-child-pornography
» https://wtop.com/crime/2024/05/silver-spring-man-arrested-for-sending-child-pornography-to-undercover-agent/
» https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2024/05/11/fbi-arrest-maryland-man-following-indictment-on-charges-of-distribution-of-child-pornography/ 

▫️Former Dubuque Priest charged with sex abuse to make first court appearance in Iowa
DUBUQUE, Iowa  — A former Dubuque priest charged with 5 counts of second-degree sexual abuse is expected to make his initial appearance in court in Dubuque next week.
Leo Riley was arrested in Florida and was charged with 5 counts of sex abuse. Father Leo Riley is accused of sexually abusing young boys in the mid-1980s during his time with the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Riley moved to Florida in 2002.
» https://www.kwwl.com/news/dubuque/former-dubuque-priest-charged-with-sex-abuse-to-make-first-court-appearance-in-iowa/article_d23ebeda-0d4d-11ef-a304-57fd9dca251f.html
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/former-dubuque-priest-charged-with-sex-abuse-to-make-first-court-appearance-in-iowa/ 

▫️New fallout over 'Mr. ORNG' sex crime allegations
The Jobs for Arizona Graduates Program, or JAG, is suspended while officials investigate the allegations.

▫️Smuggler in stolen pickup leads Texas authorities on chase | NewsNation Prime
The Texas Department of Public Safety has released a new video showing a smuggler in a stolen pickup truck who is trying to escape from the authorities while carrying six migrants in the vehicle. NewsNation's Jorge Ventura reports cartels are recruiting Americans on social media to smuggle migrants into the country illegally, promising a big payday.

▫️'As if it were my own child missing': DPS Special Agent receives Lifesaving Award
A special agent with the Texas Department of Public Safety recently won a Lifesaving Award for his actions in finding a missing child from Corpus Christi.
Henry J. Schultz, a special agent in the Criminal Investigations Division of DPS, was recognized by the Texas Public Safety Commission and DPS Director Steve McCraw at the PSC meeting in April for investigative work conducted on a case regarding a 16-year-old who went missing on June 10, 2023.
The agent began working the case two days later.
Through in-depth analysis involving forensic digital evidence and examination of video surveillance from surrounding businesses near the victim’s last location, he uncovered critical details that led law enforcement to find the missing minor on July 25, 2023, in Gainesville, Florida, along with the two suspects.
https://eu.caller.com/story/news/local/2024/05/11/dps-special-agent-receives-lifesaving-award-for-finding-missing-corpus-christi-teen/73389923007/ 

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[Pompeii]

Who's in the News?

▫️Man gets special ‘People of Forsyth County’ handcuffs after he’s accused of molesting child under 10
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 34-year-old man is facing multiple charges including child molestation. On Friday, Forsyth County deputies arrested 34-year-old Jesus Flores-Vilchis.
Flores-Vilchis is charged with child molestation, three counts of aggravated child molestation, and three counts of sodomy against a person under the age of 10.
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/forsyth-county/man-get-special-people-forsyth-county-handcuffs-after-being-accused-molesting-child-under-10/SPKGVEZWXFCXJPAAHJWX56REFA/ 

▫️Court documents: Valpo man, 19, charged with soliciting a minor after sting by NWI Predator Catchers
A Valparaiso man is in custody after arranging to meet who he thought was a 13-year-old girl for a possible sexual hookup, only to be met by police when he found out he was communicating with a member of Northwest Indiana Predator Catchers, according to court documents.
Liam Raphael, 19, is charged with two counts of child solicitation, one a Level 4 felony and the other a Level 5 felony. He was in custody at Porter County Jail as of Friday evening.
» https://www.yahoo.com/news/court-documents-valpo-man-19-134400483.html
» https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/05/12/court-documents-valpo-man-19-charged-with-soliciting-a-minor-after-sting-by-nwi-predator-catchers/ 

▫️Former Port Charlotte priest expected to appear in court on Monday, accused of sexual abuse
A former Port Charlotte priest, accused of five counts of sexual abuse to the second degree, is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Father Leo Riley, 68, is expected to make his initial court appearance in Dubuque, Iowa, on Monday at 10:30 a.m.
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/former-port-charlotte-priest-expected-to-appear-in-court/
» https://www.nbc-2.com/article/accused-port-charlotte-florida-priest-court-monday-iowa/60772690 

▫️Catholic church is stonewalling sex abuse investigation, Washington attorney general says
The Catholic church is refusing to cooperate with a Washington state investigation into whether it unlawfully used charitable trust funds to cover up sexual abuse by priests, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Thursday, asking a court to force the Seattle Archdiocese to turn over decades of records.
“We have a good understanding of the content of our files and we have no concern about sharing them with the Attorney General lawfully and fairly,” the statement said.
Ferguson, a Catholic himself, told a news conference that the archdiocese has refused to provide even a single document that had not already been made public, claiming an exemption as a religious institution. The archdiocese disputed that as well, saying it offered this week to provide private deposition documents, but that the attorney general’s office said it wasn’t interested.
» https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wa-clergy-abuse-investigation-rcna151427
» https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/catholic-church-is-stonewalling-sex-abuse-investigation-washington-attorney-general-says/article_d9876bb8-0eee-11ef-b454-77c24ddb5cd4.html
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/catholic-church-is-stonewalling-sex-abuse-investigation-washington-attorney-general-says-2/ 

▫️‘There’s been so many’ – Pedophile priest’s eye-opening testimony in church sex abuse case
At one point in the deposition even Hecker became overwhelmed at the number of times with which he has been confronted with sex abuse allegations.
WWL Louisiana and the Guardian have obtained a long suppressed, eight-and-a-half-hour deposition of a 92-year-old Catholic priest charged with physically overpowering and raping a boy in a New Orleans church in 1975. 
» https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/investigations/losing-faith/new-orleans-archdiocese-church-sex-abuse-lawrence-hecker-deposition-testimony/289-df0b8a8c-62b4-47f4-af37-56e2822502f6
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/05/theres-been-so-many-pedophile-priests-eye-opening-testimony-in-church-sex-abuse-case/ 

▫️Human trafficking advocates insist exploited children shouldn’t be treated like criminals
Experts want the justice system to factor in forced criminality when it deals with some young people.
https://headtopics.com/us/human-trafficking-advocates-insist-exploited-children-52475588 

▫️China and US resume cooperation on deportation as Chinese immigrants rush in from southern border
WASHINGTON  — Beijing and Washington have quietly resumed cooperation on the deportation of Chinese immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, as the two countries are reestablishing and widening contacts following their leaders’ meeting in California late last year.
» https://apnews.com/article/china-immigration-border-deportation-mayorkas-514f42ee56e80fe7eb7f9fcc71c4d55c
» https://www.voanews.com/a/china-resumes-cooperating-with-us-on-illegal-migration/7606638.html 

▫️Inside the Frantic Search for Tech Billionaires’ Missing Child, Mint Butterfield
» https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-the-frantic-search-for-tech-billionaires-missing-child-mint-butterfield
» https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13412281/mint-butterfield-billionaire-heiress-different-person-san-francisco-missing.html 

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