SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY - On Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 the Monroe County District Attorney's Office Detective Unit conducted a large-scale undercover prostitution sting at a hotel in Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The operation, led by District Attorney Detective Kim Lippincott resulted in the arrest of ten individuals charged with various human trafficking offenses.
Trafficking of individuals is a first-degree felony in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This charge, along with Involuntary Servitude and Promoting prostitution is used for people commonly known as "pimps". These individuals utilize some sort of force, fraud or coercion as a way of keeping women involved in prostitution.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Matthew Beers, 30 of Saylorsburg, PA – Patronizing a Prostitute
Tarkira Monasia Bell, 20 of Richmond, VA – Involuntary Servitude, Trafficking of Individuals, Promoting Prosttution
Jesse Alan Day, 30 of Milford, PA – Patronizing a Prostitute
Malik Dupree Edwards, 39 of Tobyhanna, PA – Involuntary Servitude, Trafficking of Individuals, Promoting Prostitution
David Jonathan Hubler, 43 of Elmhurst Twp, PA – Patronizing a Prostitute
Aldo Giovanni Mancilla, 53 of Nazareth, PA – Patronizing a Prostitute
Branden Charles Russell, 27 of Kunkletown, PA – Patronizing a Prostitute
Dragan Trajanov, 23 of Willowbrook, IL – Patronizing a Prostitute
Rachel Slzasa, 34 of East Stroudsburg, PA – Prostitution
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Matthew Beers, 30 of Saylorsburg, PA Patronizing a prostitute
Tarkira Monasia Bell, 20 of Richmond, VA Involuntary Servitude, Trafficking of Individuals, Promoting Prostitution
Jesse Alan Day, 30 of Milford, PA Patronizing a prostitute
Malik Dupree Edwards, 39 of Tobyhanna, PA Involuntary Servitude, Trafficking of Individuals, Promoting Prostitution
David Jonathan Hubler, 43 of Elmhurst Twp, PA Patronizing a prostitute
Aldo Giovanni Mancilla, 53 of Nazareth, PA Patronizing a prostitute
XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX, 34 of Las Vegas, NV Patronizing a prostitute
Branden Charles Russell, 27 of Kunkletown, PA Patronizing a prostitute
Dragan Trajanov, 23 of Willowbrook, IL Patronizing a prostitute
Rachel Slzasa, 34 of East Stroudsburg, PA Prostitution
The operation involved members of the Monroe County Office of the District Attorney, Wayne County Office of the District Attorney, the Monroe County Drug Task Force, Stroud Area Regional Police, Bethlehem Township Police Department, Sugarloaf Township Police Department, Monroe County Probation and Parole, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and members from the Pennsylvania State Constables.
As a result of these arrests, one woman, whose identity is being protected, was recovered as a victim of human sex trafficking. This victim was cared for and immediately taken by members of the Truth Home, a non-profit organization that provides a safe living environment and works with women to restore hope after sexual exploitation. You can learn more about this program at www.truthforwomen.org<http://www.truthforwomen.org>. Additionally, a representative from The Well was present during the operation to offer resources to victims of human sex trafficking.
The aforementioned defendants will have a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Brian Germano at a later date.
