A man from Palm Beach County is facing multiple accusations, including two counts of trafficking two girls, both of whom are 15 years old.
One of the girls’ fathers discovered many Cash App transactions and Snapchat communications, according to a probable cause document.
According to the complaint, the two were allegedly trading sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves and other adults for various goods, including chocolate and door dash gift cards.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated that this was a prime example of the importance of monitoring children’s screen time. Nicole Bishop oversees Palm Beach County’s victim services program. Bishop has handled similar instances before.
“Human trafficking has elements of force, fraud or coercion and so oftentimes with those incidents it’s coercion where there being coerced into sending photographs sometimes being giving gifts bribes,” Bishop said. “Oftentimes, they are extorted after they send photographs of themselves.”
The Snapchat account was linked to Michel Gede, also known as ‘Too Nice,’ according to investigators. Among the charges against Gede is human trafficking.
To help keep an eye on their children’s online activity, Bishop suggests having a chat with them and using parental control tools.