Arrests in multiple human trafficking operations announced
November 26, 2024: District Attorney Seán M. McCormack announced today the results of recent human trafficking enforcement operations in Cumberland County. Twenty-two individuals have been arrested during multiple operations over the past month, with more arrests coming.
Last week the Cumberland County Human Trafficking Task Force concluded Phase Two of Operation: Closed2Trafficking. This operation focuses on illegal commercial sexual trafficking and exploitation of individuals. On November 6, 2024, the Task Force executed a search warrant at GL Massage, 1779 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle, PA, after an extended months-long investigation. This investigation was started as the result of a tip received from a concerned citizen. The search at GL Massage led to a subsequent search warrant being served at Li’s Asian Spa, located at 300 E, High St, Carlisle, PA. McCormack reiterated a message that he has emphasized since the Human Trafficking Task Force was formed, “Unfortunately, human trafficking exists here in Cumberland County and today’s operation is part of our ongoing effort to root out human trafficking and to send a message that Cumberland County is not the place to set up one of these operations. Cumberland County is ‘Closed to Human Trafficking.”
In conjunction with Operation: Closed2Trafficking, the Task Force also conducted its continuing operations known as Impact Demand. Impact Demand is designed to target one of the driving forces of Human Trafficking – the customers of the commercial sex trade. McCormack commented on purpose Operation Impact Demand, “The fuel that feeds human trafficking is the money customers pay for commercial sex. Operation Impact Demand is designed to curtail the supply of money going into the pockets of human traffickers.” Across nine iterations of Operation Impact Demand, the Task Force has arrested a total of 85 individuals.
The details of Human Trafficking Task Force’s recent operations are as follows:
Recent Human Trafficking Arrests
On October 23, 2024, the Cumberland County Human Trafficking Task Force conducted an undercover prostitution detail, Impact Demand 8, in coordination with the Silver Spring Police Department, PA State Police, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
The following individuals were arrested for Promoting Prostitution as part of that detail:
- Naeem Ahmad, Camp Hill PA, Age 33 (booking photo unavailable at this time)
- Michael Cassel, Carlisle PA, Age 32
- James Williams, Millersburg PA, Age 53
- Frantz Alteus, Dickson City PA, Age 50
- Jeremy Herman, Mechanicsburg PA, 54
- David Wholaver, Plain City OH, Age 56
On November 6, 2024, the Cumberland County Human Trafficking Task Force, as part of Operation: Closed2Trafficking, conducted a search warrant at GL Massage located at 1779 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle, in coordination with the PA State Police. This search warrant was the result of several months of investigation and resulted in one immediate arrest with more arrests forthcoming.
One individual, of Flushing, NY, was arrested for Prostitution as a result of the investigation.
On November 8, 2024, the Cumberland County Human Trafficking Task Force conducted an undercover prostitution detail, Impact Demand 9, in coordination with the Hampden Township Police Department, PA State Police, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
The following individuals were arrested for Promoting Prostitution as part of that detail:
- Travis Walters, Turbotville PA, Age 29
- Donald Miller, Dover PA, Age 57
- Jeffrey Nguyen, Harrisburg PA, Age 34
- Jason Martin, South Fork PA, Age 42
- Robert Kraft, Millerstown PA, Age 33, Additionally charged for drug offenses
- Matthew Peterson, Danville PA, Age 43
- Sebastian Klinger, Bellefonte PA, Age 32, Additionally charged for drug offenses
- Joseph Biddle, Tyrone PA, Age 54
- Robert Campbell, Harrisburg PA, Age 38
- Christopher Striker, Lancaster PA, Age 34
- Timothy Bricker, Age 62
- Juan Perez, Lansdale PA, Age 36
- Ravi Bastola, Mechanicsburg PA, Age 40
On November 19, 2024, the Cumberland County Human Trafficking Task Force, as part of Operation: Closed2Trafficking, conducted a search warrant at Li’s Asian Spa located at 300 E, High St, Carlisle. This search warrant was the result of several months of investigation and resulted in three immediate arrests with more arrests forthcoming.
The following individual was arrested for Prostitution and Corrupt Organizations as a result of the investigation:
Chuan Xa Wang of Newport, PA
Two additional individuals, from Flushing, NY, were arrested for Prostitution as a result of the investigation.
NOTE: The above details are allegations, and all the individuals listed in this press release are presumed innocent, unless and until they are found guilty in court.
