Human trafficking happens in Jamestown, Erie – and sometimes in rural areas like Warren County, too.

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological. Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is a form of human trafficking.

“It’s in Jamestown. It’s in Erie. When you see it in urban areas, it trickles into rural areas.” said Melissa Mclean, executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Earlier this year, a Jamestown woman was imprisoned for 12 years for her role in sex trafficking of minors. The arrangements were made on Facebook and the minors supplied with drugs and alcohol. Just this week, Warren city police officers filed 13 felony charges against a Warren man who took in a teenager who had run away from New York state before allegedly making the girl think sexual intercourse was one way she could remain in the man’s apartment.

Michael J. Bundy III, 24, of Warren has been charged by Warren city police with felony charges of first-degree felony rape forcible compulsion, two counts of second-degree statutory sexual assault – 8-11 years or older, two counts of second-degree felony sexual assault, two counts of second-degree felony aggravated indecent assault – forcible compulsion, two counts of second-degree felony aggravated indecent assault without consent, two counts of second-degree felony aggravated indecent assault – comp. less than 16, second-degree felony strangulation – applying pressure to the throat or neck, third-degree felony corruption of minors – defendant age 18 or above, and second-degree misdemeanor charges of indecent assault – without consent of other and indecent assault person less than 16 years of age. Bundy III has not appeared yet in court.

“The defendant advised that while the victim stayed with him, he provided her with necessities such as food, drinks and a place to stay,” the Affidavit of Probable Cause states. “Further, he admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim twice.”

On June 23, a forensic interview was done at the Children’s Advocacy Program in Jamestown. The girl told investigators that after she ran away from home, she reached out to a friend on Snapchat asking if they would pick her up. The friend agreed and drove her around Jamestown before going to Warren upon the girl’s request. The girl said she reached out to an old friend at his place of employment, but the friend didn’t want her around, leaving the girl stranded in Warren. That’s when Bundy invited her to his apartment.

“The victim advised that while at the defendant’s apartment, the defendant made her believe that she needed to perform sexual favors in order to stay there,” the affidavit states. “Therefore, the two of them engaged in sexual intercoure twice during her one to two week stay.”

One reason that child sex trafficking goes unnoticed is that the signs are invisible. Teens are coerced into it to get something of value. In an area with as much poverty as Warren, something of value could simply be food, clothes or shelter. They could also be given cell phones, alcohol, drugs, money or protection, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate.

In America, 300,000 children are sold for sex each year, according to Safe House Project. Pennsylvania ranked ninth in the 50 states for human trafficking victims in 202, with 469 victims. New York was ranked number 4, with 845 victims.

Children are more vulnerable if they are in an unstable living situation, are in foster care or the juvenile justice system, have run away from home, are undocumented immigrants, or experience violence, poverty or economic need. They may also have a history of sexual abuse or substance use.

Warning signs to look for include someone who suddenly has an abundance of gifts or money in an uneven romantic relationship with a significant age or financial gap. Another sign could be someone who has a history of running away suddenly living with someone they met online. Other things that can, and do, happen are job offers from far away with evasive details,or a job that seems too good to be true. The signs are elusive, but the problem is real.

The Warren County Children’s Advocacy Center will offer a free Human Trafficking 101 seminar on September 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Youngsville Borough Conference Room. A separate program will be held for law enforcement.

If you, or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, text “info” or “help” to befree (233-733) or call 1-888-373-7888.