Friday, March 15, 2024
Friday, March 15, 2024
Friday, March 15, 2024

Philly Man Who Held Three Minors Age 13 and Older Captive in TRAP HOUSES Gets 45 Years

Âť

Published

Âť

Sign up with Your Content for the latest updates. Have a story or news tip? Contact our 24/7 newsroom at 833.336.8013 or email us.

Officials announced that a 36-year-old man was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for operating sex trafficking three young children and holding them captive for several years in trap houses throughout Philadelphia, Your Content has learned.

In September 2019, Horne was convicted at trial of three counts of sex trafficking minors by force, fraud or coercion.

Artavius Horne, a/k/a “Lo”, 36, of Philadelphia, PA was sentenced to 45 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert for sex trafficking three children for years.

During the week-long trial, prosecutors proved that the monster organized, operated and led a sex trafficking venture based in and around Northeast Philadelphia between 2013 and 2015, and in 2018.

As part of the illegal operation, the sex criminal recruited, enticed and maintained three minor children, one of whom was as young as 13 years old, to engage in commercial sexual encounters.

- Advertisement -

Horne created Internet advertisements for each of the victims on the website Backpage.com, and he transported them across state lines to New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., and Maryland for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts.

He also kept the victims in apartments throughout Philadelphia, known as “trap houses,” where they were made to engage in commercial sex for the benefit of the perverted Philly native.

In 2017, Horne was convicted of similar offenses in Bucks County, Pa.

“Horne committed these heinous acts while on parole for doing the exact same thing,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain.

“He has no regard for the law — or even basic human decency — as evidenced by his willingness to sell the bodies of children for sex to benefit himself. He deserves every minute of the 45 years that he received today.”

“Artavius Horne made his living by sexually exploiting children, advertising underage girls for sex with strangers,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.

“He even transported them to other cities and states, determined to keep the money coming in at their expense. Know that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are working every day to put traffickers like Horne behind bars and ensure some justice for their victims.

“We ask anyone with knowledge of child or adult sex trafficking to let us know about it, so we can help. Call 1-800-CALL-FBI or go online to tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous, if they like.” 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Babb Wilmoth.

Your Content is a publication centered around breaking news, trends, and true crime investigations. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.

Ohio High School Principal Resigns Amid Sexual Harassment Investigation

Robert Griffiths, the principal of an Ohio high school, has resigned following allegations of...

Serial Bank Robber Arrested in Metro Atlanta Following Multi-Agency Investigation

Dallas, Georgia, police, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, have successfully apprehended a...

Search for Armed Robbery Suspect in Maumelle Dollar General

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office is requesting public help in identifying a suspect involved...

Birmingham Police Arrest Man as Investigation into Father’s Disappearance Takes a Dark Turn

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham Police Department has reported a significant development in a...