PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Three people have been charged with running a human trafficking and drug ring based in Reading.
Pennsylvania State Police said early last year, a confidential source focused their attention on 50-year-old Hector Rivera and 31-year-old Dushawn Ellis, both of Reading, as well as 36-year-old Bridget Thompson of Lancaster.
Investigators say Rivera and Ellis used drugs to lure the victims into prostitution and then control them. Thompson is accused of posting ads and dealing with customers.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the trio “manipulated and abused terrified, vulnerable young women.” In all, he said they “put their victims’ lives at risk for a profit.”
Rivera is being held on $1 million bail. Thompson’s bail is set at $250,000. Both have hearings set for Aug. 3 in Berks County. Ellis will be arraigned Tuesday.