Justin Strait, Sex Trafficking Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2014

SCRANTON—A 26-year-old Scranton man was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy that used a minor to engage in prostitution at several hotels and motels in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Justin Strait, 26, of Scranton, was sentenced on December 13, 2016, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton, for his role in the sex trafficking conspiracy.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Strait admitted that he assisted three other men in the sex trafficking activity during early-to-mid 2014. Strait pleaded guilty in July 2015.

Strait and/or his co-conspirators recruited the minor to engage in prostitution, rented motel rooms for purposes of prostitution, provided condoms to the minor, photographed the minor, and posted advertisements for “escort services” on a website, provided illegal drugs to the minor, and acted as security during prostitution activities.

Strait must also register as a sex offender and comply with all sex offender notification requirements of federal and state law. He will serve five years on supervised release following his prison sentence.

Three other men connected to the sex trafficking conspiracy have also pleaded guilty: Sean Cantelmo was sentenced to 151 months in prison; Jimmy Cantelmo was sentenced to 10 years in prison; and Mark Matis is awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

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