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Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH. What is Human Trafficking?. Sex Trafficking. Labor Trafficking. What is Human Trafficking?. Sex Trafficking

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Human Trafficking

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  1. Human Trafficking Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

  2. What is Human Trafficking? Sex Trafficking Labor Trafficking

  3. What is Human Trafficking? Sex Trafficking Knowingly recruit, lure, entice, isolate, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, or maintain, or knowingly attempt to do any of these things, to a person knowing that the person will be: ▪Compelled to engage in sexual activity for hire, engage in a performance that is obscene, sexually oriented, or nudity oriented, or be a mode or participant in the production of material that is obscene, sexually oriented, or nudity oriented (sex trafficking). 2905.32(A)(1) *The Ohio statute explicitly defines compulsion in a trafficking in persons case, as requiring proof that the victim’s will was overcome by “force, fear, duress, or intimidation.” 2905.32(B)

  4. What is Human Trafficking? Labor Trafficking Knowingly recruit, lure, entice, isolate, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, or maintain, or knowingly attempt to do any of these things, to a person knowing that the person will be: ▪Subjected to involuntary servitude. 2905.32(A)(1) *The Ohio statute explicitly defines compulsion in a trafficking in persons case, as requiring proof that the victim’s will was overcome by “force, fear, duress, or intimidation.” 2905.32(B)

  5. Summit County Prosecutor’s Office Prosecution of Human Trafficking--R.C. 2905.32 • 2017—Indictment of Darren Townsend & Pearl Coffey Multiple counts of: • Compelling prostitution • Trafficking in persons • Promoting prostitution • Corrupting another with drugs.

  6. The Victims One victim was 17 & the other was in her twenties. • The younger girl testified that Coffey or Townsend would pick her up from her high school and take her to various locations where she would have sex for money. She also said Townsend forced her to have sex with him multiple times and didn’t use a condom. • The older female, who was addicted to opiates, was found by one of Townsend’s spotters. Townsend exploited her addiction by supplying her with drugs. • Both girls were kept compliant by fear, force, & insignificant gifts/privileges such as being allowed to drive the car.

  7. State v. Townsend & State v. Coffey • Coffey pled guilty to: • Attempted trafficking in persons • Compelling prostitution • Corrupting another with drugs • Sentenced to 6 years in prison • Tier II sex offender • Must register for the next 25 years

  8. State v. Townsend & State v. Coffey Townsend pled guilty to all charges: • Two counts of Trafficking in Persons • Corrupting others with drugs • Three counts of Compelling Prostitution • Six counts of Promoting Prostitution Sentenced to 14 years • Tier II sex offender • Must register for the next 25 years.

  9. Human Trafficking & Juvenile Court As prosecutors, the juvenile human trafficking victims that we see are individuals who have been arrested for crimes related to their victimization. These Juveniles may qualify for Restore Court, which is a specialized docket designed to empower youth who are either involved in human trafficking or at high risk of being involved in human trafficking. Restore Court has two tracks: • Safe Harbor Track—For youth involved in human trafficking with charges related to their victimization *Eligible to have charges dismissed and expunged • Traditional Track—For those who have not been trafficked but are at a high risk of being trafficked

  10. Traffickers exploit victims • Traffickers identify and leverage victims’ vulnerabilities. • Victims are therefore not always easy to identify. • Victims often do not identify as victims. • They say that their trafficker “listens” to them. • They believe their trafficker loves them. • Traffickers keep their victims compliant by: • Force • Fear • Deception • Extortion • Small, insignificant gifts

  11. Red Flags & Risk Factors for Youth • Frequent runaway • Truant from school • History of sexual abuse, neglect, and/or domestic violence • Instability in their home life • Substance abuse • Sexually explicit on social media • Access to material items & money

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