Man charged with human trafficking for trying to recruit teen into porn industry

NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A New Jersey man is facing human trafficking charges for trying to recruit a teenager into the pornography business, North Strabane police said.

Kevin Newell, a married salesman, is accused of texting with someone he thought was a 15-year-old girl from Canonsburg.

According to a criminal complaint, Newell told the girl he would take her to Europe and Asia in order to make her famous in the pornography industry. He also told her he frequently travels to the Pittsburgh area and would be able to meet in person.

The girl was actually North Strabane police officer Gary Sherer.

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The investigation began when an employee at a Pennsylvania women’s shelter told police they were housing a possible trafficking victim. The girl said Newell instructed her to find him teenage girls, 14 to 16 years old, and recruit them into the pornography industry.

Newell allegedly told her he’s had sex with 14-, 15- and 16-year-old girls.

"He told the minor he was going to take her to Asia and Europe to be a famous porn star," Sherer said.

After Sherer went undercover, Newell allegedly told him he “frequently travels to the Pittsburgh area” and that he would be able to meet in person to begin shooting the videos and make her famous.

Police believe Newell has been recruiting young teens into the pornography industry over the last 15 years, possibly flying them overseas.

Newell is being held in a New Jersey jail on felony child trafficking and sex charges. He is expected to be extradited to Washington County in the next three days.

Cox Media Group