Human trafficker of 14-year-old convicted in Philadelphia

For seven months between 2012 and 2013, a 14-year-old girl was raped and beaten by a 37 yearold man who forced her to prostitute herself at hotels in Delaware County and Philadelphia, according to Philadelphia District Attorney R. Seth Williams.

Williams announced in a press release Wednesday that a Philadelphia jury convicted Jason Guerra of the .West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, human trafficking, five counts of promoting the prostitution of a minor and related charges.

When sentenced by Philadelphia Judge Diana Anhalt on May 20, he will be a lifetime Megan’s Law registrant and faces a maximum possible penalty of 159 years in prison. Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Rochelle Keyhan of the Office’s Family Violence and Sexual Assault prosecuted the case.

“The case cut across jurisdictions between Delaware County and Philadelphia and Delaware County gave us jurisdiction for the case,” said Cameron L. Kline, spokesman for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office.

The victim was 14 years old when Guerra approached her on the street and eventually recruited her into his human trafficking operation after he raped her , beat her and threatened to kill her. On one occasion, according to the press release, Guerra beat the victim so badly that she miscarried a pregnancy. The victim was also intimidated by seeing Guerra beat other young women he was trafficking who suffered broken ribs and fingers,

according to testimony.

Williams said Guerra forced the 14-year-old girl to engage in sex with men as many as eight times a day at various hotels and kept all the money they paid her. The hotels included the Day’s Inn in Chester and hotels near the airport with the Microtel Inn being one of the major venues said Jennifer Jones, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

The investigation, that began after the 14-year-old was found by the FBI, led to three other women who testified that Guerra forced

them into sexual servitude at various times from 2007 through 2013 and that he controlled some women who were drug addicts by giving and then withholding heroin and crack cocaine. They identified four other young women they had seen Guerra trafficking. Three are now dead from drug overdoses.

“This child and the other young women who testified showed tremendous courage in facing their tormentor and holding him accountable for the devastation he wrought on their lives,” said Williams on Wednesday. “The jury’s verdict sends a powerful message to traffickers who profit off of the suffering of their victims that they will be held accountable.”