A 14-year prison sentence has been handed down to Thomas Patrick Petoff, a former Erie resident, for his role in a sex trafficking ring that exploited two minor victims in 2015.
According to court documents, Petoff, 31, and his co-defendant Devonte Lucas knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, advertised and maintained the two minor victims who engaged in commercial sex acts at their behest.
The illegal activity was uncovered when members of the Millcreek Police Department observed Lucas transporting a minor female to a Millcreek motel after setting up a meeting with the victim via an Internet advertisement placed by Petoff.
Petoff’s actions were brought to a halt by the Millcreek Police Department in October 2015. His co-defendant, Devonte Lucas, was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2017.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Scott W. Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Millcreek Police Department for their investigation and the successful prosecution of Petoff.
Petoff was sentenced to 14 years in prison and 10 years supervised release by United States District Judge David S. Cercone. The sentence is a result of his conviction on sex trafficking of a child and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges.
Related Federal Cases
- Artavius Horne, Child Sex Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Mark Matis, Sex Trafficking of a Minor, PA 2014 · Pennsylvania
- Thurman Stanley, Sex Trafficking and Drug Conspiracy, PA 2016 · Pennsylvania
- Harris Hickman, Minor Sex Trafficking, NY 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Adrian Smith, Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor, PA 2016 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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