District Attorney Heather Adams launched the Human Trafficking Task Force four years ago on January 11, recognized across the U.S. as National Human Trafficking Day. Since then, the Task Force has successfully investigated and prosecuted numerous human trafficking crimes, ensured that trafficking victims were identified and received access to a comprehensive array of supportive services and fostered community awareness through education and outreach.

That mission continued in 2025 as the Task Force successfully made dozens of arrests, provided victims with crucial supportive services, shed light on the plight of trafficking survivors and challenged the community to stand up against this often-hidden crime.  

ARRESTS AND PROSECUTIONS

Throughout 2025 the Task Force made 41 arrests which came as a result of eight different details in Lancaster County as well as referrals from the FBI, ChildLine reports and tips from the public. Six of these arrests were of child predators soliciting minors for sexual activities.

Five of the six child predator defendants from 2024 have since pleaded guilty. Among them was 34-year-old Leandro Alfaro, of the 300 block of South Broad Street in Lancaster, who was sentenced in May to four and a half to 14 years in state prison. A sixth 2024 child predator defendant, Brandon Ramirez, is still awaiting trial.

Another 20 arrests in 2025 were of “Johns” soliciting prostitution from adults. “Johns” were charged with patronizing prostitutes, a third-degree misdemeanor. There were 22 “John” arrests in 2024.

Fifteen arrests in 2025 were for prostitution, down from 21 in 2024.

Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick oversaw the prosecution of all of these defendants.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH

Community members were invited to stand together against human trafficking in 2025 through 67 different Task Force-led presentations and trainings, 15 Task Force prevention-based youth mentorships and 22 Task Force prevention sessions held at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center, among other outreach efforts.

In July, Lancaster city’s Penn Square was the site of one of the Task Force’s most powerful and symbolic outreach efforts, the Red Sand Project. Held in recognition of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, participants filled the square’s sidewalk cracks with red sand, serving as a stark reminder of victims and survivors of trafficking, exploitation and injustice who have slipped through the cracks. The event served as a visible declaration that every person matters and that no one should be overlooked.

July’s Red Sand Project also offered an opportunity for Task Force partners to highlight the work of the Lancaster County Children’s Alliance, raise awareness of human trafficking throughout the community and affirm a shared commitment to prevention, protection and justice.

October saw another milestone in the fight against human trafficking with the unveiling of a six-week billboard campaign emphasizing the Task Force’s mission. The billboards were purchased with the proceeds of an anonymous grant given to ZOE International.

Located along six different major arteries throughout Lancaster County, the billboards proactively encouraged the community to help stop human trafficking – and warned buyers and human traffickers that the Task Force is on the watch.

YWCA Lancaster, an important Task Force partner, reached nearly 200 people at human trafficking-themed information tables at five different community events in 2025.

Additionally, YWCA Lancaster hosted five different empowerment groups at local youth-serving organizations, reaching 81 different teens and adolescents. The group also hosted three presentations.

VICTIM SERVICES

After being rescued by the Task Force, victims can receive assistance immediately by trained advocates with ZOE International, an international organization that works to fight human trafficking through prevention, rescue and restoration. ZOE advocates act as case workers and assist victims through each step toward a restorative plan, providing them constant emotional support so they have the services and support that they need.  

ZOE advocates engaged with 15 victims during Task Force operations in 2025, providing essential support and connecting them to available services.

North Star Initiative, another Task Force partner, offers the guidance of trauma-informed specialists and a survivor-care perspective as well as facilitating training and awareness presentations. In 2025, ZOE, North Star Initiative and YWCA Lancaster engaged more than 700 participants in 23 training sessions and reached more than 3,100 people across 32 presentations.

And, in support of their mission to support victims, YWCA Lancaster attended two Task Force stings to provide immediate advocacy and counseling for victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse.

During one undercover operation in August, law enforcement officers working in coordination with ZOE advocates identified a young woman showing multiple signs of sex trafficking. Recently immigrated, separated from her support system and without personal identification, the woman was deemed particularly vulnerable.

Initial efforts to engage the woman were challenged by language barriers and limited trust. Recognizing the urgency of the situation and indicators of exploitation, ZOE advocates initiated emergency response protocols and connected her immediately with North Star Initiative, who secured emergency shelter and deployed a Spanish-speaking interpreter.

As a result of this response, the woman’s exploitation was disrupted and she received immediate care, safe housing and was reunited with her family in another state within 24 hours. In the weeks that followed, the woman communicated her gratitude and shared that she had secured stable employment.

The woman’s case highlights the critical impact of collaborative agency efforts, demonstrating how coordinated law enforcement leadership, advocacy and community partnerships can rapidly protect vulnerable individuals and change outcomes.

Launched in 2022, the Task Force is a collaboration of local, county, state and federal agencies with private and non-profit organizations. We would like to thank all our partners in the Task Force for the important contributions they make to its success.

Law enforcement organizations participating in the Task Force include the East Cocalico Township, East Lampeter Township, Ephrata, Lititz Borough, Manor Township, Northwest Regional and West Lampeter Township police departments, the Lancaster City Bureau of Police, the Lancaster County Detectives, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and Pennsylvania State Police.

Reporting of suspicious activity believed to be or suspected to be human trafficking can be submitted at LancasterPACrimeTips.com.

Last year’s Task Force yearly review can be seen here.