State police, FBI bust Dover human trafficking operation – Dover Post

Five people have been arrested and are in prison

Five people are in custody after the Delaware State Police, with the assistance of the FBI and the Delaware Department of Justice, completed their investigation into a case of human trafficking.

Delaware State Police spokesman Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said the investigation began May 8 when the foster parent of a 16-year-old girl contacted Troop 3s Criminal Investigation Unit. The parent said the girl, who had been missing since March 27, may have been prostituting via the backpage.com website.

Detectives found a listing that showed photographs appearing to be the missing teen and were able to confirm her identity through the foster parent. Investigators conducted a search of law enforcement records for the phone number listed and were able to link it to 18-year-old Jason Haith of Dover and his girlfriend, Jessica A. Hutkin, 34, of Smyrna.

A joint DSP/FBI/DOJ operation was started Friday, May 19 as investigators called Haiths number and arranged a meeting for sexual favors in exchange for compensation at a south Dover motel.

At about 1:40 p.m. a white 2017 Hyundai Sonata, bearing New York registration, pulled into the motel and the 16-year-old victim was seen leaving the car. Troopers stopped the car after it left the motel and the Haith and Hutkin were taken into custody without incident. Another passenger, Austin White, 19,of Smyrna, also was arrested.

A computer check showed Sonata had been reported as stolen out of Philadelphia April 6, Fournier said.

Further investigation revealed that Haith, Hutkin, and White, along with two other people, Donnell Singletary, 32, and Taliesha Haith, 34, both of Dover, used each others cell phones to make calls, send text messages, and/or connect to the internet to arrange prostitution activities for the 16-year-old victim and another 17-year-old victim who also was advertised on backspace.com.

Singletary and Taliesha Haith were taken into custody at Jason Haith's home in the 1000 block of East Lebanon Road, Dover.

Information also suggested the prostitution activities were coordinated out of the Haith home on East Lebanon Road.

Jason Haith and Jessica Hutkin are charged with human trafficking sexual servitude, second-degree promoting prostitution, receiving stolen property, and second-degree conspiracy. They both are being held on a $34,000 secured bond.

Taliesha Haith, Donnell Singletary, and Austin White are charged with Human Trafficking Sexual Servitude, second-degree promoting Prostitution, and second-degree conspiracy.

They are being held on $32,000.00 secured bond each.

Because of the sensitivity of this case, and in consideration of the victims, only limited information will be released, Fournier said. Both victims have been placed in the safety of Division of Family Services.

Victims or persons with information regarding the activities of any of the five individuals in custody are asked to contact Detective M. Weinstein at 302-698-8443 or the Troop 3 Major Crimes Unit at 302-698-8434.

Information also may be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 900-TIP-3333, via the internet at delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword DSP.

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State police, FBI bust Dover human trafficking operation - Dover Post