(WNY News Now) – Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and State Police have charged 22 individuals in connection with a long-running human trafficking ring operating out of Philadelphia.
HARRISBURG, PA – In a sweeping law enforcement effort, Attorney General Michelle Henry and the Pennsylvania State Police announced charges against 22 individuals involved in a Philadelphia-based human trafficking ring that spanned over a decade. Terrance L. Jones, 52, the alleged ringleader, faces multiple charges, including corrupt organizations, trafficking in individuals, and involuntary servitude. Jones is accused of posing as a woman named “Julia” to recruit vulnerable women into the commercial sex trade, exploiting their hardships and struggles with substance abuse.
Jones was arrested on October 18 and arraigned, with bail set at $2 million. His daughter, Natoria Jones, allegedly acted as the financial manager of the operation, while three drivers, including Thomas Reilly, 54, were also charged. Reilly faces additional charges of rape and sexual assault, with bail set at $1 million.
Also charged are: James Rudolph, Rhaheem Hill, and Joseph Franklin (drivers); and Joseph Szegila, Christopher Wood, Stephen Osborne, Pasquale Difelice, Steven May, Michael Bonczak, Brian Smith, Christopher Bello, Jonathan Fellenz, Robert Brutsche, Kevin Bullock, Boris Volinsky, Brian Nice, Gary Ames, Grady Durham, and Gregory Doto (commercial sex buyers).
Charging commercial sex buyers is essential to reducing trafficking because, without buyers, traffickers would have no source of income. Individuals willing to pay other people to exploit young women fuel the existence of human trafficking.
The charges result from a years-long investigation led by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the State Police, and the 50th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. The investigation revealed that Jones ran his operation from his residence from 2012 until February 2023. He allegedly deceived the women he recruited into thinking they were communicating with a woman, using the persona of “Julia” to establish trust.
“For more than a decade, Terrance Jones allegedly tricked vulnerable young women into his web of control and abuse, disregarding their well-being and safety to make a profit,” Attorney General Henry said. “These charges and arrests are huge steps toward holding Jones and his cohorts accountable for a reign of terror that caused pain and suffering.”
“Today, we stand firm in our commitment to keeping communities safe as we announce these significant human trafficking arrests,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner. “The Pennsylvania State Police and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to supporting victims and ensuring that those who exploit others face the full weight of the law.”
Anyone with information about Jones they believe law enforcement should have is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations at 215-452-5239.
The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorneys General Erik Olsen and Helen Park. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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