PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Melissa Madera, 27, of Reading, PA, has pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., to multiple child exploitation and pornography offenses.
In August 2019, the defendant was charged with two counts of sex trafficking minors and one count each of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. The charges stem from Madera’s trafficking of a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old girl from August until October 2017. Madera coerced the girls into engaging in commercial sex for her financial gain, administering drugs like Ecstasy and cocaine to ensure their compliance.
Madera also used a sexually explicit image of one of the girls on a commercial sex trafficking website, advertising her for sale using locations like the Quality Inn in Wyomissing, PA, and multiple motels in Reading. The defendant rented rooms at these hotels, charging $200 per hour for commercial sex acts.
After the 15-year-old’s mother reported her missing to police in October 2017, Madera confronted the girl and assaulted her. “This is what you get for being a rat,” Madera told the girl.
“Sex trafficking is a serious problem in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and we are committed to rooting it out,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Madera advertised children as objects online and drugged them to maintain control.”
Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, added, “Melissa Madera fits the bill of a predator who uses and abuses minors. The FBI is committed to freeing victims and holding their tormentors accountable.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri A. Stephan.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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