Miguel Scott Arnold, Human Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2020

Harrisburg, PA - A Harrisburg man, Miguel Scott Arnold, 33, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role as the leader of a human trafficking operation.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Arnold was convicted on June 21, 2019, after a four-day jury trial. He was convicted of (1) conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; (2) sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; (3) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana; and (4) possession with intent to distribute heroin.

A total of 20 victims, including juveniles, were exploited by Arnold and his co-conspirators. The victims were coerced through fraud, physical assault, deprivation of heroin, and threats of violence.

Four co-defendants in the case previously pleaded guilty to engaging in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. They were Tevin Bynoe, Terrence Hawkins, Joshua Guity-Nunez, and Emonie Murphy.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The FBI coordinated the investigation and was aided by law enforcement agencies in the Harrisburg area.

Arnold faced a mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison for his role as the leader of the sex trafficking operation. However, he received an additional 10 years for his involvement in heroin trafficking.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio and Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

Miguel Scott Arnold, 33, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo on September 3, 2020.

This case highlights the severity of human trafficking and the need for law enforcement to work together to bring perpetrators to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/leader-human-trafficking-ring-sentenced-25-years-imprisonment