HARRISBURG, PA — A Dauphin County resident has been arrested and charged with operating a human trafficking scheme that allegedly preyed on vulnerable individuals across Central Pennsylvania. Michael J. Choma, 45, faces multiple allegations tied to his involvement in trafficking activities from 2017 to 2021 in Dauphin and Cumberland counties.
According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Choma allegedly used websites such as “Backpage” and “Skip the Games” to recruit women and advertise commercial sex services. Prosecutors claim that he employed coercion, violence, and access to controlled substances to control his victims, many of whom were reportedly struggling with substance use disorders or other personal hardships.
Attorney General Dave Sunday emphasized the serious impact of such alleged activities, stating, “Human traffickers cause widespread harm to communities where they operate and long-term trauma for survivors. The collaborative work led by our Human Trafficking Section exposed a defendant who allegedly preyed on individuals struggling with substance abuse and other hardships. This conduct was nothing short of cruel and dehumanizing.”
The criminal complaint accuses Choma of managing all aspects of the alleged trafficking operation, from creating online advertisements and communicating with potential buyers to handling the profits. Victims reportedly received only a fraction of the money generated, with Choma allegedly keeping most of the proceeds for himself. Authorities also claim that he facilitated drug exchanges between victims and a known drug supplier, further tightening control over them.
The allegations extend to instances where Choma is said to have drugged individuals using GHB, commonly referred to as a “date rape drug.” Prosecutors allege that after the victims became unconscious, Choma sexually assaulted them.
Choma faces a long list of charges, including trafficking in individuals, involuntary servitude, promoting prostitution, aggravated assault, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and delivery of a controlled substance. A Dauphin County district judge has denied bail, citing Choma as a “threat to victims and society.”
The case stems from an investigation initiated by the Human Trafficking Section of the Attorney General’s Office in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State Police’s Organized Crime Unit. Deputy Attorney Generals Kayla Bolan and Lauren Perchinski will lead the prosecution.
The charges remain allegations, and Choma is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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