Andre Michael Felts, Kevin Michael Francis, Ryan Keel, Child Sex Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2016

Philadelphia Men Charged with Child Sex Trafficking

PHILADELPHIA – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, three Philadelphia men have been detained on charges of child sex trafficking.

Andre Michael Felts, 32, Kevin Michael Francis, 60, and Ryan Keel, 39, were charged by Indictment for their roles in a sex trafficking operation that exploited numerous minor children from 2016 through 2017.

Felts was detained pending trial this afternoon, joining his co-defendants, who are also in federal custody. All three defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to sex traffic a minor, while Felts and Francis were also each charged with four counts of sex trafficking a minor.

The Indictment alleges that Felts ran a prostitution ring that recruited and enticed young girls, including one who was only fifteen years old, to engage in commercial sex acts; harbored the victims at various residences for that purpose; transported and provided the victims to males who purchased the commercial sex acts; and collected a portion of the proceeds.

Further, Keel and Felts allegedly had explicit discussions via Facebook Messenger about the commercial sex acts occurring at the residences. At least one of the victims was also a victim of physical violence during the operation of the trafficking ring.

“The allegations against these three men are vile and disturbing. I am gratified that the defendants are all now off the streets and in custody pending trial on these charges,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain.

“To advertise underage girls for sex, to willfully pimp them out for profit, is heinous,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division.

Defendant Information:

- Defendant 1: Andre Michael Felts

- Defendant 2: Kevin Michael Francis

- Defendant 3: Ryan Keel

- Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to sex traffic a minor, sex trafficking a minor

- City and State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

- Date: 2016

- Sentence: Lifetime imprisonment (if convicted)

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/three-philadelphia-men-detained-charges-child-sex-trafficking