CSEC2011
Canada CA
In February and March 2011, undercover officers contacted 71 potential victims through sex ads and agreed to meet them at seedy local motels. Once there, investigators worked to learn more about them and find out why they were in the sex trade. “Six individuals came forward and we were able to rescue them from the life of human trafficking and set them on a way to getting back into society," said Peel Deputy Chief Dan McDonald.
Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
On November 9, 2011, Kemp Shiffer, 58, of Reno, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben to one count of transporting an individual in interstate commerce for purposes of prostitution. The plea agreement filed in the case states that on about July 25, 2011, Shiffer transported an individual identified as “C.M.,” from California to Nevada with the intent that “C.M.” would engage in prostitution when she arrived in Nevada. Shiffer engaged in coercive conduct in order to compel “C.M.” to engage in prostitution, and Shiffer was the organizer, leader, manager, and supervisor of the criminal activity, which included another participant, identified in the plea agreement as “E.H.”, who helped Shiffer recruit and transport “C.M.” from California to Nevada. As the investigation into Shiffer's dealings continued, Reno PD says that Shiffer retired from the United States Internal Revenue Service years ago but believe he may have been using his IRS badge to further his recruitment efforts into prostitution. His recruiting may go back as far as 10 years. Aside from his stint as an IRS agent, Shiffer was also an accounting instructor at the University of Nevada, Reno. According to Lahontan Valley News Shiffer along with David Houston and John Kirsch applied for a brothel license in 2006 but were denied.
Sex Trafficking2011
Canada CA
January 9, 2012, Mr. REID pleaded guilty to Human Trafficking, Possession of a Loaded Firearm and Possession of Firearm While Prohibited. January 13, 2012, Jason REID, appeared before The Honourable Justice Richard Blouin at the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket and was sentenced to four years in prison, in addition to the 107 days of pre-trial custody he has already served. He has also been issued a lifetime weapons prohibition and been ordered to provide a mandatory DNA sample.
Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
The Undercover Officer (UC herein) called the phone number provided in the ad at 4:30 PM. The UC spoke with a female. The female on the phone stated that she was just checking in at her hotel and asked the UC to call back in 30 minutes. Officers then contacted the hotel and learned that Sanders and Nicholas had just checked in again. Officers learned that they had rented rooms 216 and 253/4 (a suite). The UC called the phone number in the ad at 5:30 PM and again spoke to the female. The female on the phone stated it was $150.00 for a 1/2 session and $200.00 for an hour. The UC and the female discussed the particular sexual acts included in this price and the female indicated it was "full service." The female indicated her location and told the UC to call back when he was close to get the room number. At about 5:59 PM, the UC called the phone number again and the female stated she was in room 216. As he exited his vehicle, the UC observed a white female, exit room 216 and walk around the corner towards room 253/4. The female stared intently at the UC as he approached the hotel. The UC went to room 216, knocked on the door and victim answered. The UC and victim agreed to exchange money for sexual contact and the UC signaled the arrest team to enter the room. Officers went to room 253/4 and located defendant and other as well as a small child. The room smelled of marijuana. A plastic bag containing a small amount of what appeared to be marijuana was located on defendant.
Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
Three suspects were arrested and charged with kidnapping. During the investigation, police obtained a search warrant for “the room and a 2001 BMW sport utility vehicle, seizing records, cellular telephones, computers and cash. Police impounded the car.” After the arrest, the suspects were held in York County jail on a bail of $100,000. That bail was later lowered to $2500 for the two women and $1000 for the man. “Police say they are exploring charges of aggravated promotion of prostitution.”
CSEC2011
United States US
Mahendar "Mike" Singh, 40, and his wife, Helen Jean Singh, 22. Both are natives of Sacramento. Mahendar admitted to recruiting teenage females to provide sex services in exchange for money and drugs and to knowing that at least one of the teenagers was a juvenile. Mahendar Singh also admitted that he and his co-defendant(his wife) were able to maintain their victims’ services by providing them with money, clothing, and drugs, promising them a family-like environment, and using and threatening the use of physical force. An affidavit filed in connection with this case alleged that the defendants used an Internet website to advertise their victims and employed cell phones and text messaging to make arrangements with customers.
CSEC2011
United States US
Will Moss forced minors into prostitution, transported them across state lines and controlled them through force and intimidation. Moss repeatedly assaulted and raped them. Moss was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison and 10 years of supervision, when and if he is released he must register as a sex offender.
CSEC2011
United States US
Police investigated the hotel on a tip, interviewed the girls, then arrested the couple and put them into a San Mateo jail to await hearing.
Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
22-year-old Tynisha Marie Hornbuckle, 25-year-old Tamrell Rena Hornbuckle, 23-year-old Latrelle Alicia Hornbuckle, 24-year-old Cherrelle Elizabeth Hornbuckle, 43-year-old Tammy Rena Brown, and 24-year-old Jacquelin Lanoise Radisha Wade
CSEC2011
United States US
This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Innocence Lost Task Force, a task force comprised of the FBI, the Sacramento Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Reardon is prosecuting the case. Docket #: :11-CR-477 JAM The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591 is no less than 10 years in prison, and up to life, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime period of supervised release. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
CSEC2011
United States US
Hamilton was sentenced August 22, 2011 in federal court in San Diego by the Honorable William Q. Hayes to serve 141 months in custody and 10 years of supervised release following his release from prison based on Hamilton’s conviction for one count of sex trafficking of a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591. Hamilton entered his guilty plea on November 9, 2010.
CSEC2011
United States US
The charges are the result of "Operation Vice Grip," an 18-month investigation spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oceanside Police Department and the Escondido Police Department. Operation Vice Grip focused on prostitution activities orchestrated by members and associates of the Oceanside Crips street gang. According to court documents, in recent years this street gang has focused its for-profit criminal activity on promoting and managing prostitution in San Diego County and throughout the United States. The gang-controlled prostitution spawned a "pimping" subculture that enforced strict rules with consequences for individuals who violated them. In addition, the following agencies provided substantial assistance with the investigation - the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Carlsbad Police Department; the North County Gang Task Force; the Riverside County Sheriff's Department - Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team; and the San Diego County Jurisdictions United for Drug and Gang Enforcement (JUDGE) Task Force.
CSEC2011
United States US
Theodore Love was arrested on state charges for promoting prostitution. The investigation found six females, two of which were juveniles ages 13 and 17. Love transported the women and children to Las Vegas, Nevada; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles, California, and forced them to work as prostitutes. Love advertised his escort company “The Love Zone” in the Spectator magazine and on the Internet at Eros Guide. Love was indicted federally, charged with sex trafficking of children; and transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Love pled guilty and was sentenced to over 7 years in prison.
Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
The husband and 3 girls were taken into custody by the police. When questioned, all 3 girls reported that they were being forced into prostitution by the husband and wife. The wife was also later found at the hotel and arrested along with her husband – they were booked into San Mateo County Jail for human trafficking under the agoe of 18, pimping, pandering and conspiracy.
Domestic Servitude2011
United States US
A couple lured a Brazilian woman (who the wife knew as the victim was a childhood friend) to the U.S. by offering her free lodging at their home and work as the family’s housekeeper and nanny for $1,500 a month with the promise of pursuing a nursing degree and a better life for her and her son. However, once the victim began working, her traffickers took her passport from her, withheld pay and food, was physically attacked by the wife, and was sexually molested by the husband. The traffickers claimed to have immunity and therefore any accusation made by the victim against them would be fruitless.
CSEC2011
United States US
The couple was charged with child sex trafficking after officers discovered them at the Travelodge on Airport Boulevard in August with three teenage girls who said they were being held by force as prostitutes, according to police.
Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
Police entered a hotel room to find a 19-year-old girl in only a bra and underwear. The girl claimed that Armstrong was forcing her to prostitute herself. Armstrong was arrested.
Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
Two Tulsa women say Vincent Broussard, a man from Texas offered them a ride to an east side bar. When they got in the car with him, he did not go to the bar, but instead kept driving, threatening to take the women all the way to Texas. Then he stopped at an RV park and attempted to sell the two women to another man. They were able to flee.
Forced Labor2011
Brazil BR
The Brazilian government rescued 15 workers from a factory sub-contracted by AHA, the company responsible for 90% of Zara's Brazilian production. Fourteen of the workers were Bolivians and one was from Peru. One was 14. Renato Bignami, who led the investigation, said the workers – who lived on the premises – worked 12-hour shifts in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. They were not allowed to leave the premises. One victim told the TV channel A Liga that the labour component of a pair of Zara jeans selling at $126 (£76) was $1.14, which was divided between the seven people involved in the process. The workers earned between $156 and $290 a month. The minimum wage in Brazil is $344.
CSEC2011
Japan JP
The victim is a 16-year-old girl whose mother was selling her into prostitution. Her mother had been selling her since she was in the sixth grade, and the victim gave all her earnings (about 10,000 yen per client) to her mother. The victim’s mother used the money to purchase drugs, and the victim also began using drugs, allegedly at her mother’s instigation. The victim used a cell phone dating service to contact clients. When the victim’s mother was arrested for the use of illegal stimulants, the victim was taken into a child consultation center. The center failed to identify that the victim was being forced into prostitution, and she was released from the center in November of 2010. Later investigations reveal that after her release, the girl returned to live with her mother, who continued selling her as a prostitute. The victim was arrested on August 17, 2011, for the use of illegal stimulants, and is now in a juvenile detention center. The arrest took place at the apartment where she lived with her mother and stepfather. Her stepfather has been indicted on drug charges, and her mother has been missing since July. The victim’s case was referred to a family court in August of 2011, and her trial is scheduled to start in late September.
Domestic Servitude2011
Saudi Arabia SA
A family from Saudi Arabia including a man, woman and their children hired a live-with domestic helper from Sri Lanka through a hiring agency in Saudi Arabia. After five months, Mrs. L.G.A. returned home to Sri Lanka, where after her arrival it was discovered she had 23 nails and one needle, some as long as 2" throughout her body. According to L.G.A: "I had to work continuously since I had to do the chores of all the occupants and when I wanted to take rest due to tiredness, they inserted the nail in my body as punishment.I had to work from dawn to dusk. I hardly slept. They beat me and threatened to kill me and hide my body."
CSEC2011
United States US
Tramble first came to the attention of law enforcement in or about August 2010, when Kent Police Department officers encountered a juvenile female working as a prostitute. This victim told police how Tramble beat and coerced her, and how he advertised her as a prostitute on Backpage.com. Further investigation by law enforcement revealed that Tramble forced numerous women to work for him as prostitutes. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force, which is composed of local, state and federal law enforcement officers who investigate juvenile prostitution. Key assistance was provided by the Kent Police Department.
Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
Convicted pimp Anthony "Mack" Terry was sentenced to 20 years in prison April 29, 2011. Terry, whose defense was that he was a drug dealer, not a pimp, was convicted in March 2011 of two counts of promoting the commercial sex abuse of a minor, second-degree promoting prostitution, and witness tampering. King County Superior Court Judge Beth Andrus had just handed down the 20-year prison sentence when the courtroom phone rang. On the line was the teenage victim Terry had pimped out and later asked to lie for him in a series of recorded phone calls he made from inside the King County Jail. "I just want to say I was never a victim, and Anthony Terry was never my pimp," said the woman, whose call was put on the Court's speaker phone. The woman was 18 at the time of the sentencing but was 17 when Terry was twice arrested for pimping her out. Judge Andrus had already heard the woman's denials during Terry's bench trial, but apparently found them unpersuasive. In March 2011, Judge Andrus found Terry guilty of two counts of promoting the commercial sex abuse of a minor, second-degree promoting prostitution, and witness tampering. During closing arguments in March 2011, Prosecutor O'Donnell played a series of recorded phone calls between Terry and the 17-year-old, in which Terry can be heard directing her to post photos of herself online to make money to bail him out and pay for an attorney. O'Donnell also held up a screen shot of Terry's MySpace page, which bore the words "pimp in action."
Sex Trafficking2011
South Korea KR
According to police, from February 2007 through November 2009 Ms. Kim and the others brought 70 North Korean women trafficked from Qingdao, China into the business and accommodations they operated, earning over 30 million won in illegal profits from forcing them into prostitution. Also, they are accused of placing a 400,000 won bounty on Ms. Jo, a North Korean refugee in her mid-30s who escaped the business. Police say that they took 20% of the 100,000 won the victimized women earned per encounter in the bars they were forced to perform prostitution in, and were even beaten if they did not earn enough. Investigators found that they took advantage of the fact that North Korean refugee women in China have no contacts in South Korea and no regular residence, and paid 3.6 million won to Chinese brokers to bring them to Korea. Police believe that there are more perpetrators involved in the crimes including operators of brothels in China.