PHILADELPHIA, PA — United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Kevin L. Smith, 29, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to 23 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for his role in an alleged sex trafficking ring. The sentence was handed down on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, by United States District Court Judge Karen Spencer Marston.
Smith pleaded guilty on December 2, 2023, to one count of sex trafficking of a minor and three counts of sex trafficking by force, threats of force, coercion, and attempt. These charges stem from Smith’s operation of a sex trafficking ring in Philadelphia and surrounding areas, including Bucks and Delaware counties.
The case sheds light on the dark world of human trafficking, where individuals are coerced or forced into sexual exploitation. Smith’s activities allegedly spanned over two years, from July 2015 to July 2017, during which he is accused of using physical threats to force two young women into sex work. One of these victims was a minor.
In September 2019, Smith allegedly harbored, maintained, and advertised a minor, knowing that the minor would be coerced into engaging in commercial sex acts. The indictment further alleges that Smith used threats and violence to maintain control over his victims, treating them as his personal property and exploiting their vulnerabilities.
“Smith’s sexual exploitation of his victims was horrific,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “May those victims take some comfort, and find some measure of justice, in the lengthy prison sentence he’ll now be serving. Our office, alongside the FBI and our other partners, is working every day to put away these predatory sex traffickers who for some reason feel entitled to treat vulnerable young people as their personal property.”
The prosecution and sentencing of Smith are significant not just for the victims but also for the broader community. It sends a clear message that sex trafficking will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such activities will face severe consequences.
“Sex trafficking, especially when it involves a minor, is one of the most heinous crimes we investigate,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “The sentencing of Kevin Smith is not just a testament to the diligent investigative work conducted by the FBI and our law enforcement partners, but reaffirms our mission of protecting innocent victims from exploitation.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, with significant assistance from several local law enforcement agencies. These include the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division (CID), the Bensalem Police Department, the Media Borough Police Department, the Tinicum Township Police Department, and the Philadelphia Police Department. The investigation highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating complex criminal activities like sex trafficking.
Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Jones and Assistant United States Attorney Priya T. DeSouza prosecuted the case.
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