Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Note : To view the indictment click here. The Justice Department today announced the seizure of Backpage.
Additionally, seven individuals have been charged in a count federal indictment with the crimes of conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce, facilitating prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce, conspiracy to commit money laundering, concealment money laundering, international promotional money laundering, and transactional money laundering.
Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange for the District of Arizona, U. Attorney Nicola T. Wray, U. Last Friday, the Department of Justice seized Backpage, and it can no longer be used by criminals to promote and facilitate human trafficking.
I want to thank everyone who made this important seizure possible: all of our dedicated and committed professionals in the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and our U. With their help, we have put an end to the violence, abuse, and heartache that has been perpetrated using this site, and we have taken a major step toward keeping women and children across America safe. Some of the internal emails and company documents described in the indictment are shocking in their callousness. Together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to vigorously combat this activity and protect those who are victimized.
The U. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting our customers by stopping the money laundering to ensure the cycle of victimization ends. While these types of investigations can be made more challenging with the use of virtual currency, offshore banking, and the anonymity of the Internet, it should serve as an example to all criminals that there is not a place they can hide where we will not find them.
