2 men charged with sex trafficking by force, 1 defendant remains at large

PHILADELPHIA - Two men, one from Georgia, the other from California, were charged, on May 24, with sex trafficking and related crimes, following an investigation by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Kashamba John, 30, of Atlanta, and Tyler Robert Bachtel, 34, of Montclair, California, were charged by indictment with one count of sex trafficking by means of force, threats of force, fraud and coercion (Count One). John was additionally charged with one count of transporting an individual in interstate commerce with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution (Count Two). Bachtel remains at large.

“The victims of sex trafficking pay a price that lasts a lifetime,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. “We have to do everything possible to find the offenders and bring them to justice.”

Members of the public should not try to apprehend him. Anyone with information should contact local law enforcement or the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

If convicted of sex trafficking, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment up to a possible sentence of life imprisonment, a minimum of five years up to lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. In addition, on Count Two, John faces a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment as well as up to three years supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

An indictment, information or criminal complaint is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.