Pennsylvania man sentenced to 12 years for sex trafficking a minor

PHILADELPHIA – A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) case led to a child sex trafficker getting more than 12 years in federal prison for his crimes.

Scranton, Pennsylvania, resident Sean Cantelmo previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to have a 17-year-old female engage in prostitution and illegal sexual activity from February through May 2014. Cantelmo admitted that he and others used a cell phone to post advertisements for “escort services” involving the minor female on a website, rented motel rooms in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties to facilitate the prostitution activities, and purchased condoms for the minor to use when engaging in commercial sex acts.

Cantelmo was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2014, as a result of an investigation by HSI, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Lackawanna District Attorney’s Office.

Cantelmo was also ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release following his prison sentence. He must also undergo sex offender treatment and must comply with the registration and notification requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

This investigation was conducted under HSI's Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI's Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.