47°
All five individuals responded to an ad, posted on Monday, Jan. 19 by detectives, offering sex with 14- and 15-year-old juveniles at various locations in Berks County, the county district attorney's office announced.
The individuals agreed to meet up and have sex with the "teens," but instead were met by detectives and promptly arrested, District Attorney John T. Adams said.
The following arrests were made, according to Adams:
- Richard Keene, 70, of Reading, charged with Trafficking Individual, Statutory Sexual Assault, Unlawful Contact with Minor, Prostitution and Related Offenses, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility
- Darvin B. Eby, 52, of Ephrata, charged with Trafficking Individual, Statutory Sexual Assault, Unlawful Contact with Minor, Prostitution and Related Offenses, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility
- Adam Ismaili, 34, of West New York, charged with Trafficking Individual, Statutory Sexual Assault, Unlawful Contact with Minor, Prostitution and Related Offenses, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility, Bail set at $50,000.
- James E. Moon, 67, of Sinking Spring, charged with Trafficking Individual, Statutory Sexual Assault, Unlawful Contact with Minor, Prostitution and Related Offenses, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
- Percival R. Williams, 46, of Allentown, charged with promoting prostitution, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility. Bail set at $100,000.
“The harsh reality is that human trafficking is happening in our community. 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," Adams said. "And if caught, we will arrest and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Essex and receive free news updates.
