Sean Cantelmo, Sex Trafficking of a Minor, Pennsylvania 2014

Scranton Man Charged with Sex Trafficking of a Minor

A 28-year-old man from Scranton, Pennsylvania has been charged with sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Sean Cantelmo allegedly conspired with others to coerce a minor female to engage in prostitution and illegal sexual activity between February and May 2014.

According to the indictment, Cantelmo used a cell phone to post advertisements for ‘escort services’ involving the minor female on a website and rented motel rooms in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties to facilitate the prostitution activities.

Cantelmo is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking of Children by Force and Coercion and Sex Trafficking of Children by Force and Coercion. These charges are punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.

Cantelmo was taken into custody on yesterday and is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick at the Federal Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre later today.

The charges stem from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pennsylvania State Police.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Cantelmo’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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