Human trafficking sting at Pa. massage parlors nets charges for Florida man - PennLive

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Pennsylvania’s attorney general has announced charges against Florida man accused of operating a human trafficking ring under the guise of massage parlors in three states.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Friday that David Williams, 41, of Pensacola, was arrested and charged with using interstate facilities for purposes of racketeering, conspiracy to commit money laundering and the harboring of illegal aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain.

Williams is accused of running a human trafficking ring out of massage parlors in Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia.

The AG’s office, Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI office in Pittsburgh on Thursday executed nine search warrants in western Pennsylvania in Turtle Creek, Carnegie, Jeannette, Bridgeville, Erie, and McKees Rock. Agents in Florida also executed multiple federal search warrants in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Gainesville.

Williams is accused of exploiting undocumented women and offering sexual acts for money during massages at his parlors.

“The defendant allegedly used his businesses to exploit women in several different states and force them into prostitution purely to line his own pockets,” Shapiro said in a press release. “Thanks to strong collaboration with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we have put an end to this criminal enterprise and are seeking justice for the defendant’s victims.”

Charges were leveled against Williams by U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida.

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