Study details link between social media and sex trafficking

Dr. Celia Williamson speaking at the 15th Annual International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference at The University of Toledo on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. Credit: Dan Miller, University of Toledo.

Social media is increasingly being exploited to contact, recruit and sell children for sex, according to a study by The University of Toledo Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute.

The study, which was requested by the Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Commission, reveals how traffickers quickly target and connect with vulnerable children on the Internet through social media.

"It is vitally important to educate parents, professionals and youth—especially our middle school or teenage daughters who may be insecure—about the dangers of online predatory practices used by master manipulators," said Dr. Celia Williamson, UT professor of social work and director of the UT Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute. "Through this outreach and education, we can help save children from becoming victims of modern-day slavery."

"We know predators are using the internet to find their victims, and this eye-opening study highlights what a predator looks for in a victim and helps parents recognize the signs that their child may be a target," Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. "Using real-life examples, this study provides valuable information that parents can use to start open and honest conversations with their children about staying safe online."

Through a series of 16 in-depth interviews by the institute's staff and student interns with knowledgeable members of Ohio law enforcement, judges, direct service providers, advocates and researchers who engaged with victims who were trafficked online, the study outlines how traffickers connect to vulnerable youth online, groom the children to form quicker relationships, avoid detection, and move the connections from online to in-person.

"The transition from messaging to meeting a trafficker in person is becoming less prevalent," Williamson said. "As technology is playing a larger role in trafficking, this allows some traffickers to be able to exploit youth without meeting face-to-face. Social media helps to mask traditional cues that alert individuals to a potentially dangerous person."

Williamson cites a 2018 report that says while 58 percent of victims eventually meet their traffickers face to face, 42 percent who initially met their trafficker online never met their trafficker in person and were still trafficked.

The experts, whose identities are not being released, said the traffickers educate themselves by studying what the victim posts on commonly used view-and-comment sites such as Facebook, Instagram or SnapChat, as well as dating apps such as Tinder, Blendr and Yellow, or webcam sites like Chatroulette and Monkey, in order to build trust.

"These guys, they learn about the girls and pretend to understand them, and so these girls, who are feeling not understood and not loved and not beautiful ... these guys are very good at sort of pretending that they are all of these things and they really understand them and, 'I know how you feel, you are beautiful,' and just filling the hole that these girls are feeling," said a professional contributing to the study.

One expert in Columbus shares a telling story: "The guy was reaching out to a lot of girls all day long. One girl, who is actually in a youth home, she had access to the Internet, and he connects with her on a social media platform. He drives all the way up from Columbus to Toledo, picks her up at her foster home and drives her back down to Columbus, and then traffics her here in Columbus. You know, 20, 30 years ago he would have never been able to connect with her, but because of social media, that connection was immediately made in over a few hours. He found out where she was and she told him, 'Yeah, please come get me. I want out of here.'"

Examples of social media posts that draw the attention of a trafficker include expressions of fear, emptiness and disappointment, such as:

• "Nobody gets me."
• "I am so sick of being single."
• "I am so ugly."
• "How do I look?"
• "My life sucks."
• "She's not my true friend."
• "My parents don't trust me."
• "I'm being treated like a kid."
• "I need to get out of here."

Predators look for indicators of substance abuse, runaway activity and destabilization within the home.

A trafficker's strategic response includes:

• "I understand you."
• "I love you."
• "I think you're beautiful. I'll encourage you to show your body. Use your body."
• "I'll make your life better."
• "I'll encourage you to take risks. You're an adult."
• "I'll protect you."
• "I'll make you successful."

Grooming children for sex trafficking consists of convincing someone to send a risky picture and then using it to extort them.

"They will use fear of repercussions as a way to compel the youth, coerce the youth [to move them from a monitored page to a less monitored page]... by saying, 'You don't want your parents to find out what we're talking about,'" said one expert.

Technology offers traffickers ease in advertising multiple victims at one time.

The study lists several advertising and sales sites browsed by "johns/sugar daddies," such as Cityxguide, Skipthegames, Bedpage, Seekingarrangement.com and sugar-babies.com. Williamson said Bedpage is a spin-off of Backpage, which was the focus of a 2017 documentary called "I Am Jane Doe" about the fight against child sex trafficking online.

"Even though Backpage has been shut down, other sites are being created and gaining traction," Williamson said. "The landscape is rapidly changing."

Parents form the front line in the fight to protect their child against traffickers by monitoring or blocking questionable activity.

"Parents who are educated can wage a worthy defense against potential recruitment and recruitment of their youth online," Williamson said. "Parents who work to build healthy, open and communicative relationships are more likely to have youth that share information about where they go and who they talk to online."

Police: Woman posed as Child Protective Services worker in attempt to kidnap 3-week-old baby

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas police are investigating the attempted kidnapping of a 3-week-old baby by a woman who posed as a Child Protective Services worker.

On Monday around 12:30 p.m., a woman named Joanna Boyd, 39, called police, claiming to be a CPS worker and requesting officers assist with the emergency pickup of a baby. Officers responded to the location in the 4300 block of North Las Vegas Boulevard, near Craig Road.

She provided them paperwork, including a court order, but officers said it did not appear legitimate. They later determined the paperwork was fraudulent and the woman was not an employee of Child Protective Services. She also did not have proper identification and was driving a stolen vehicle.

The parents had never met the woman but they had talked with her on social media about buying newborn clothes. The woman got accurate information about the baby through the parents' social media accounts and interacting with the parents.

As a result of the investigation, Boyd was arrested and transported to the Clark County Detention Center where she faces one count of forgery, attempt kidnapping, possession of a stolen vehicle, impersonating a public officer and possession of a stun gun/device by a felon.

Clark County released a statement regarding the incident and advised that CPS employees are instructed to show identification with families they are working with.

"The safety of our children and youth in foster care is paramount. We urge all parents to ask questions if they have any doubt as to whether or not they are speaking to a family services employee.

Parents should always ask for proper identification before ever trusting a stranger with their children.

Our employees are issued an identification card when they are hired and they are instructed to keep their card on them during work hours.

When out in the field, CPS employees are instructed to present their ID cards to families they are working with. Employees are not allowed to refuse to show their ID card when asked."

All family services ID cards contain the following information:

•A picture of the employee

•The name of the employee

•The title of the employee

If a resident is visited by someone claiming to work for family services, they can always request to see their ID card.

Additionally, they can also contact the department at (702) 399-0081 to ensure their credentials are authentic.

Caught red-suited: Sex offender arrested for trying to play Santa, deputies say

By: Jeff Deal , Kevin Williams

Updated: Nov 28, 2018 - 6:17 PM

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Deputies say a registered sex offender posted an ad online to play Santa Claus, but could have avoided arrest if he had disclosed the Santa gig as part of his sex offender registry requirements.

Robert Kendel, 48, used the name “Santa Bob” in his Craigslist ads to advertise himself as a professional Santa Claus, deputies said. The ad includes a photo of himself with a child on his lap.

Deputies said while the job raised red flags, the job itself is not what got Kendel in trouble. Investigators say he never listed the Santa job as employment, or any online identifiers as part of his sex offender registration, which he is required to do.

Sgt. Rich Mankewich from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said he contacted Kendel through Craigslist. The two agreed to meet at Rose Place Park off Apopka-Vineland Road for what Kendel thought was a corporate picnic, Mankewich said.

Investigators cleared the park of children. When Kendel showed up dressed in his Santa suit, the two exchanged money. Then investigators took him into custody. He faces charges related to violating the terms of his sex offender registry, which includes reporting employment.

© 2018 Cox Media Group.

“He said he’s been [playing Santa] for 33 years,” Mankewich said. “He’s done HOAs, he’s done birthday parties.”

The sheriff's office said an anonymous tip led to the arrest.

"We, the sexual offenders squad, don't want him to have this kind of job, but there's really not much we can do about it," Mankewich said.

Channel 9’s Jeff Deal spoke to Kendel’s wife about the charges.

“He’s off probation. He’s off court files. He served his time in prison,” said Kim Kendel, who added that her husband is just trying to earn extra money for their family over the holidays. She said she doesn’t believe there’s any reason to be concerned about his role as Santa.

A judge Wednesday set Kendel’s bond at $2,000.

Deputies said people and businesses should do background checks before hiring people for costume jobs, especially if it is around children.

Police: Body found in North Carolina is kidnapped teen girl

by The Associated Press

FILE photo of Hania Aguilar, who was reported missing out of Lumberton, North Carolina. (Photo credit: FBI)

Investigators believe a body found in North Carolina is a 13-year-old girl kidnapped from her home three weeks ago.

Authorities said at a news conference Wednesday that preliminary tests show the body found a day earlier is that of Hania Aguilar.

The body was found in a body of water in Robeson County about 10 miles south of the mobile home park where she was kidnapped on Nov. 5 after going outside to start a relative's SUV before school.

Police say a man forced the teenager into an SUV and drove off. The SUV was found several miles south of her mobile home park. The body was found a few miles farther away.

LIVE - Lumberton Police Department news conference:

The FBI issued a news release late Tuesday saying a body found in Robeson County earlier in the day was being taken to Raleigh for an autopsy and identification.

The body was found as part of a search for 13-year-old Hania Aguilar, who was kidnapped Nov. 5 from a mobile home park after going outside to start a relative's SUV before school. 

But authorities have not confirmed whether the body is Aguilar.

Police say a man forced the teenager into an SUV and drove off. The SUV was found several miles south of her mobile home park. The body was found a few miles farther away.

Authorities plan to hold a news conference at the Lumberton Police Department at 3:30 p.m. to provide an update on the investigation. 

Investigators believe kidnapped NC teen is still alive; $30K reward to find her

The search for a kidnapped North Carolina teen is growing more desperate by the minute as  hold onto the belief that she's alive.
:
Published: 7:57 AM EST November 13, 2018
Updated: 8:06 PM EST November 17, 2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The search for a kidnapped North Carolina teen is growing more desperate by the minute as investigators hold onuto the belief that she's alive.

It's been more than a week since 13-year-old Hania Aguilar was reportedly abducted outside her family's home in Lumberton on November 5. Witnesses told police she was forced into an SUV by a man wearing all black clothing with a yellow bandana over his face.

With a combined $30,000 reward being offered by the FBI and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, investigators are hopeful that the public will provide the clue that leads to finding Hania safe.

The mother of Hania wrote a handwritten statement begging for her daughters safe return:

"I trust in God that my daughter will return. No one knows the pain I have in my heart. Despite all the criticism and speculation against me, I would never use my daughter’s name in order to take advantage of this situation.

I thank all those people who have provided me help. Please, if you know something, call. I ask everyone not to make absurd comments. For the love of God respect my pain. I only want Hania, my princess, back. I miss her."

"Our approach is that she is alive," said an FBI spokesman. "We have no evidence that indicates otherwise. We are pursuing all logical leads."

The Lumberton PD & the FBI ask for continued assistance to locate 13-year-old Hania Noelia Aguilar. The public helped to locate the stolen SUV. We appreciate your support & once again ask you to call us with information. See the latest info here>https://www.facebook.com/Lumberton-Police-Department-512708818765975/ …

Last Thursday, investigators found the stolen SUV that was used to kidnap Hania. It was found abandoned in a wooded area about six miles outside Lumberton after someone called 911. Hours after the SUV was recovered, detectives released a surveillance video of a man walking near where Hania was abducted. The FBI still has not heard from the man in the video or released his identity. He has not been named a suspect, but detectives said they believe he may have seen something while walking through the area.

Hania is Hispanic, about five feet tall and weighs around 125 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt with flowers on it and jeans. Anyone with information about her whereabouts or the identity of her abductor is asked to call the tip line at 910-272-5871 or 911 immediately.

Roanoke PD, Montgomery sheriff's office provide updates in missing baby case

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR News) - The Roanoke Police Department, as well as the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, provided updates in the case of the missing Roanoke baby, Arieanna Day.

"Three-month-old Arieanna can't speak for herself so we ask that you speak for her," said Roanoke Police Chief Tim Jones. 

Jones considers the search for Arieanna to be a recovery effort.

"As far as I'm concerned Arienna is deceased," Jones said.

Earlier in the day, concerned citizens passed out flyers in the Roanoke area.

"I just want to make sure she doesn't get lost or forgotten," said Carey Hampton. She and others handed out 100 flyers in the hopes of keeping the missing girl at the forefront of people's minds. 

"This community, especially Roanoke, needs to continue to hear her name until she's brought home. Whether she's deceased or alive," said Mallory Thornton, a social media advocate. 

Police say they continue to look for Arieanna and are using Dr. Arpad Vass, a forensic expert at the University of Tennessee, to assist in the recovery effort. Jones described the type of technology Vass uses as groundbreaking. 

"His instrument is something like, I would refer to it as a bloodhound on steroids," said Jones. 

He also said that samples have been recovered in the search of Arieanna, but did not specify what those samples were. He said those samples have been sent to the state forensic lab, but could be 90 days out from getting results.

Jones also said Arieanna's father, Andrew Terry, is a suspect in the case. Terry has been charged with illegal disposal of a body based on statements he made to police. Jones stated that Arieanna's mother, Jessica Day, is considered a strong person of interest. 

"She is one of the last ones to see Arieanna alive. You can kind of connect the dots. How do you go from that child laying in a child's bed in the evening to being missing?" Jones said. 

Both police and community residents are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward. 

"If you know something, say something. Somebody knows something. Someone in this area had to see something," said Thornton. 

It has been more than two months since Arieanna was reported missing on September 11th. 

"We're soon into the Christmas season. There will be some little one not at the table this year. Because of something that someone who was vital to her safety or entrusted to her safety did," Jones said. 

Chief Jones said they and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office have covered a tremendous area while searching for Day. 

Sheriff Hank Partin said they've used as many resources as they can to find the missing baby. 

Both Partin and Jones pleaded with the community to come forward with any information. 

High-profile NKY attorney charged with rape, human trafficking

Robert Poole, 50, indicted and charged on 15 counts

 Brian Hamrick - reporter

ERLANGER, Ky. —

Prominent attorney Robert Poole was seen leaving the Erlanger police station with officers to take care of a legal matter—his own.

Poole is accused in a 15-count indictment that includes human trafficking of women and girls, and rape.

“This is the culmination of a nine-month investigation,” said Erlanger police Detective Tom Loos.

Investigators said Poole was a protégé of former Judge Timothy Nolan, who was convicted of similar crimes and is now serving a 20-year sentence.

“They were a team, as many victims described them,” Loos said. “They shared victims, they shared information, they used the same recruiting methods.”

Police said many of the sexual encounters were at Poole’s Erlanger law office and also at places he had rented for his victims.

Detectives said Poole and Nolan had more than a dozen victims.

“They looked for girls who were dependent, girls addicted to drugs and used that against them,” Loos said.

Poole was given a $100,000 bond. He’s scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 26.