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Friday, February 24, 2012

U.S. Attorney Talks About Brighton Sex Trafficking Arrest

rochesterhomepage.net

By: Caroline Tucker
Updated: February 23, 2012
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The U.S. Attorney says a Brighton man used social media to lure local girls into a sex trafficking organization.
Federal investigators say the crimes took place in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse.
40-year-old Thomas Cramer is on federal sex trafficking charges.
These are some serious charges against Thomas Cramer.
If convicted, he could serve 10 years to life in prison.
Federal prosecutors say while human trafficking is common, a case like this hasn't been seen around here.
Court documents detail a life of selling at least six young girls for sex, ranging in age between 15 and 17 years old.
"We have not had many cases involving this size of criminal sex trafficking operation," said U.S. Attorney Bill Hochul.
The federal complaint says it began in 2008, at a home on Latta Road in Greece.
Investigators say Thomas Cramer was using a runaway Florida girl for prostitution at that location.
He was originally arrested and convicted locally for that crime.
But investigators say it didn't stop there.
"This is a case where just teen girls from western new york, one case Florida recruited and enticed over social media sites," said Bill Hochul, U.S. Attorney.
Prosecutors say Cramer would post on adult sites looking for young girls.
In some cases, they were runaways.
"Our federal investigation took a number of months, it began when missing persons report filed and one of girls was found," said Hochul.
The federal complaint says some of the girls lived with Cramer inside his Jefferson Road home.
It says they would get free rent and then act as prostitutes.
Prosecutors say Cramer would keep most of the money and in at least one case threatened harm.
Federal authorities say Cramer didn't live too far from some of the places he would take those girls.
In fact his home is right across the street from one of the hotels near Rochester's airport.
The complaint says Cramer visited hotels in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse.
"What it shows us is that sex trafficking of minors can happen in any community," said Mary Whittier, Executive Director of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center.
Whittier says some people prey on young women.
"This is rape and sodomy and all sorts of horrible atrocities to children," said Whittier.
But they say there is help and a chance for these girls to move on.
"There is hope for this kids. Hope that able to get professional help," said Whittier.
Cramer is in the Monroe County Jail without bail.
His next court date in Rochester at the U.S. District Court could be as soon as next week.

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