In an effort to combat the sex trade in the county, Detectives from Berks County District Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force arrested 8 individuals in an undercover sting operation conducted earlier this week.
In an operation that authorities are calling “Operation Catch a Predator,” Berks District Attorney John Adams said over a two-day period, detectives arrested eight men from all across Berks County. The men are accused of seeking sex with minors by utilizing what Adams referred to as ‘sex apps.”
“This operation was set up to identify the perpetrators who are using these apps to find these people, who are involved in the sex trade, many of which are not there voluntarily,” said Adams.
Officials say detectives placed ads on websites commonly used for the sex trade. The suspects allegedly replied to the advertisements and agreed to meet at predetermined locations in the county to have sexual relations with minors. Upon arrival at the locations, they were placed under arrest.
“They met with all the undercover detectives and when they did so, they were placed in handcuffs,” Adams explained.
Adams says the victims don’t often recognize themselves as such and are often either lured into the sex trade industry by someone else who is controlling them, to sustain an addiction or because it affords them a certain type of lifestyle.
Charges include trafficking in individuals, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with minor, corruption of minors and criminal attempt.
The 8 charged are:
- Elvis Diaz (age 34) of Reading
- Isaiah Speight (age 25) of Laureldale
- Eriec Ruiz (age 46) of Reading
- Joshua Michael Spencer (age 38) of Bernville
- Keith Washington (age 33) of Reading
- Matthew Fisher (age 47) of Reading
- Muazong Kha (age 30) of Reading
- Corey Moll (age 37) of Mohnton
“The harsh reality is that human trafficking is happening in our community,” said Adams. “Future perpetrators should take heed that the person they’re interacting with on these websites, could be a member of our Human Trafficking Task Force. And if caught, we will arrest and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
The task force was assisted in their investigation by Spring Township PD, Wyomissing PD, Exeter PD, West Reading PD, Central Berks PD, Department of Homeland Security, ZOE International and the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives Unit.
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