The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force was launched on National Human Trafficking Day, January 11, last year. 

The task force is a collaboration of local, county, state and federal government with private and non-profit organizations.  The task force aims to successfully investigate and prosecute crimes of human trafficking; ensure that all trafficking victims are identified and receive access to a comprehensive array of supportive services; and to foster community awareness through education and outreach. 

Law Enforcement Measures

The HTTF made 30 arrests in 2022 including sting operations on those soliciting prostitution and persons soliciting minors for sexual activities.

The task force did multiple prostitution-related details in its first year aimed at reducing the demand for advertised sexual services which fuels traffickers to fill the demand with victims, including minors. In total, 19 people were charged with prostitution-related offenses this past year.

The task force also arrested nine suspects through three separate stings with a detective posing as a minor and communicating with persons who are specifically seeking minors to engage in sexual activity.

An online advertisement was created, and suspects placed calls to the number listed in the ad, spoke with an undercover detective, and agreed to pay a fee for sexual contact with a minor, whose age was discussed.  All the suspects agreed to meet at pre-arranged locations.  Suspects traveled from Berks, Indiana, and Lehigh Counties and as far away as Virginia. 

The nine individuals charged in these stings were:

• Jeffrey Fralich, 69, of the 100 block of South Walnut St., Lititz, with attempted rape of a child and 12 related felonious charges.
• Michael Bascom, 54 of the 1000 block of Main St., Slatington, with attempted statutory sexual assault, eight related felonious charges and two misdemeanor charges.
• Bradley Buchanan, 38 of the 400 block of East 3^rd St., Birdsboro, with attempted rape of a child and six related felonious charges.
• Troy Probst, 41 of the first block of Clover Ave., Strasburg, with attempted statutory sexual assault and six related felonious charges.
• Jose Villa Corta, 48 of the 900 block of N Prince St., Lancaster city, with attempted statutory sexual assault and six related felonious charges.
• Tanner Iskra, 37 of the 2100 block of Harpoon Dr., Stafford, Virginia, with attempted statutory sexual assault and four related felonious charges.
• Kyle Allen, 33 of the 1000 block of Dixon Road, Clymer, with attempted statutory sexual assault and six related felonious charges.
• Grzegorz Marzec, 44 of the 100 block of Ridge Ave, Ephrata, with unlawful contact with a minor and six related felonious charges.
• Joseph Giannini, 40 of the first block of Nolt Ave, Willow Street, with unlawful contact with a minor and six related felonious charges.

Assistant District Attorneys Amy Muller and Fritz Haverstick are prosecuting these cases.

Lancaster City Bureau of Police Detective Jessica Higgins, Pennsylvania State Trooper Amos Glick, West Lampeter Township Police Detective Steven Heinly, Northwest Regional Police Detective Charles Tobias, East Lampeter Township Police Detective Christopher Jones, Manor Township Police Detective Colleen Tatara, East Hempfield Township Police Detective Ryan Kelly, and Mount Joy Borough Police Detective Christine Keiffer filed charges.

The task force also arrested and charged a Delaware County man with human trafficking on April 21, 2022, and a Lititz man with unlawful contact with a minor on May 3, 2022.  The Lititz man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 4-8 years in prison in November.  

Victim Services and Public Outreach

Through our collaboration with Zoe International, an international organization that works to fight human trafficking by prevention, rescue and restoration, the task force is now equipped with trained advocates that can assist a victim immediately after being rescued. The advocate will act as a caseworker and assist the victim each step of the way toward a restorative plan and more importantly, give the victim 24/7 emotional support so the victim has the services and supports in place that they need.  

Task Force Coordinator Brad Ortenzi has initiated training of partner agencies, including Detectives from police departments across Lancaster County, Lancaster County Children and Youth Agency and Lancaster County Probation. The task force is also prepared to train other companies and outside agencies that seek training on human trafficking. 

“One of the initial goals in launching the task force was to educate and empower the community by offering training to schools, churches and other organizations to help spread awareness of this issue,” District Attorney Heather Adams said.  “Public awareness and vigilance can go a long way.”

Organizations interested in learning more should contact Stephanie Wisler at the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office at 717-299-8100.

Participating police departments of the HTTF include East Hempfield Township, East Lampeter Township, Ephrata Police Department, Lancaster City Bureau of Police, Lancaster County Detectives, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, Lititz Borough, Manor Township, Northwest Regional, Pennsylvania State Police and West Lampeter Township.

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

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.