The Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office was recognized by Leadership Cumberland for their efforts to combat human trafficking in Cumberland County. The District Attorney’s Office, along with YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County’s Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Crisis Services, were honored during Leadership Cumberland’s annual ‘Leaders at Lunch’ event at the Carlisle Barracks. On receiving this recognition, District Attorney Seán M. McCormack remarked, “We greatly appreciate that Leadership Cumberland and the Chamber of Commerce are elevating the issue of human trafficking in Cumberland County into the public conversation. Human trafficking, in all its forms, thrives under the cover of darkness and secrecy. It exists right in front of us, even in our own neighborhoods, and we rarely recognize it for what it is. If we are to have success in combatting these crimes, we must have a truly engaged community effort to demonstrate our resolve to eliminate this blight.”      

In 2022, District Attorney McCormack formed the Cumberland County Human Trafficking Task Force to combat the ever-evolving problem of human trafficking in all its forms. Not long after establishing the task force, a partnership was formed with the YWCA to ensure that the victims of human trafficking encountered by law enforcement received services to assist them in breaking free from their coerced servitude.  To date, the task force has made 141 total arrests and shut down 7 illegal Asian massage parlors. The county’s focus on recognizing and prosecuting human trafficking has resulted in additional human trafficking arrests across the county by local law enforcement agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police, to include the arrest of a man from Missouri who was transporting a minor who he was sexually trafficking in multiple states. That man was recently federally indicted for multiple human trafficking offenses as a result of the investigation that began in Cumberland County.

Present at the luncheon to accept the award along with District Attorney McCormack, were Det. Dave Miller, Chief Deputy District Attorney Julia Skinner, Det. Gordon Goodrow, Det. Jeremy Matis, Laboratory Deputy Director Kristen McGough, Chief County Detective Jonathan Mays, and  Criminal Intel Analyst Alexis Reisch.

The mission of Leadership Cumberland is “To develop, promote, and inspire community-based leadership skills and encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of Cumberland County.” Leadership Cumberland began as Leadership Carlisle in the fall of 1989 after a year of research and planning by the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce. As of the Summer of 2022, Leadership Cumberland is now facilitated in partnership with the Carlisle Area and the West Shore Chambers of Commerce.