Latest news with #exploitation
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Eagle Mountain man arrested for paying 13-year-old for sexual photos, documents say
This article contains information about alleged child sexual abuse material. Report CSAM to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency. EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah () — An Eagle Mountain man has been arrested and charged with sending payments to a 13-year-old girl in exchange for sexual photos. Jaxson Thomas Fox, 22, has been charged with 18 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a first-degree felony, and two counts of voyeurism, a Class A misdemeanor. According to documents, an investigator with the Utah County Sheriff's Office was sent a CyberTip referral from the Little Rock Police Department involving a case in their jurisdiction where a 13-year-old female child was exchanging sexual photos of herself with an adult man for money. American Fork woman accused of conspiring to murder husband pleads guilty The adult man, later identified as Fox, was sending the 13-year-old child payments over Apple Pay and making specific requests for the minor, making her create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of herself and share it with him. A search warrant was obtained for Fox's residence, and police interviewed him regarding the incident. Fox allegedly admitted to meeting the underage child through social media and said that he knew she was a minor. He said that he would send the 13-year-old payments in exchange for fulfilling his requests and creating CSAM. Graphic sexual messages from Fox to the 13-year-old were located, and his payments to the underage girl totaled around $430, documents say. Previously, Fox had faced charges for uploading CSAM in 2022, but a search warrant served on his residence did not return anything because he was out of town, and police were not aware that he lived there. They spoke with the homeowners, who did not possess any CSAM, and the case was closed. Payson man allegedly sexually abused 14-year-old in church parking lot During the police interview, he allegedly told police that he was the one who had uploaded the CSAM in that 2022 incident. Fox also admitted that he had sent and received CSAM from other individuals and has a 'sexual interest' in young teenagers. Police discovered that Fox had access to a girl around this age, but he stated that he had not done anything to her. The detective investigating the case located CSAM on Fox's phone, as well as two videos where he secretly recorded adult women in changing rooms at a store. Fox was booked into the Utah County Jail and is currently being held without bail. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Republicans eye efforts to quiet Epstein uproar but can't quash it Utah spends the 3rd lowest amount of income on childcare in nation: Wallethub Utah's air tanker bases have already used 1.2 million gallons of retardant fighting wildfires One dead after Orem house fire Friday morning Officials warn of potential flash floods in burn scars and Zion National Park Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
NAPA seeks stricter checks on travel ads as Punjabis fall to trafficking
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has called for stringent scrutiny of foreign job advertisements by travel agents in Punjab, claiming people from the state were falling prey to human trafficking and deceptive migration schemes. Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the US-based NAPA, emphasised that every year, hundreds of young Punjabis, driven by the dream of a better future in Western nations, end up being exploited by unregulated agents. These agents often work through sophisticated networks and use flashy advertisements in newspapers, social media, and local TV channels to lure innocent people. "They are promised high-paying jobs abroad, but instead, many are abandoned in transit countries or forced into inhumane conditions. These agents charge anywhere between Rs 20 and 50 lakh, pushing families into lifelong debt," he said. He alleged that unscrupulous agents, operating not only from Punjab but also from metropolitan hubs like New Delhi and even foreign countries like the USA, are running a parallel economy based on deceit and exploitation. "There must be a system in place to scrutinise whether a travel agent has valid licenses and legal authorisations to offer jobs overseas," Chahal asserted. He recommended that all job-related advertisements by travel agents should be vetted by authorities such as the Protector of Emigrants and local police departments. He also stressed the need for digital tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor these agents' activities across states and international jurisdictions. Chahal warned that the unchecked flow of irregular migration not only affects individuals but also tarnishes the reputation of the entire Indian diaspora. "There are countless cases of Punjabi youths being jailed in Mexico, Panama, and other Latin American countries while en route to the USA or Canada. The rampant violation of their basic human rights in these regions is alarming," he said. He called upon both Indian and international authorities to take coordinated action. "Transit and destination countries must treat such migrants as victims rather than criminals. Stronger international cooperation is required to dismantle human trafficking syndicates," he said. Chahal also proposed the creation of a comprehensive national and international database to monitor patterns in illegal migration. Chahal urged the Indian government to initiate awareness drives in rural and semi-urban areas where such fraudulent practices are most prevalent.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Loro Piana Hit With Judicial Administration for ‘Fueling' Worker Exploitation in Italy
A Milan court has placed Italian cashmere purveyor Loro Piana, a twinkling star in LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton's 'quiet luxury' firmament, under a year of judicial administration after it allegedly failed to prevent a supplier's subcontractors from exploiting migrant workers in factories where working hours surpassed the legal eight-hour daily minimum and wages undercut accepted thresholds. The preliminary ruling by the Milan Tribunal marks the fifth time prosecutors have peeled back the hallowed reputations of some of Italy's most valuable brands to reveal sweatshop-like conditions typically found in more disreputable parts of the global South. Other boldface names that have been implicated in recent years include a Giorgio Armani Group-owned firm, a Christian Dior subsidiary and a Valentino unit. More from Sourcing Journal Trump's Trade War Could Kill Lesotho's Garment Industry Is Amazon's Third-Party Marketplace Stoking Worker Exploitation? Hundreds of Cambodia's Garment Factories Unsure About Operations Beyond 3 Months According to the ruling, the violations at two Chinese-owned workshops with no actual manufacturing capacity were 'negligently fueled by Loro Piana,' which it said chose not to properly verify working conditions in pursuit of greater profits. The court said that the lack of due diligence checks persisted despite the widely reported missteps of Loro Piana's fellow high-end compatriots and the signing of a non-legally binding memorandum of understanding in May to tackle what appear to be systemic issues in the 'made in Italy' supply chain. Loro Piana, which has adopted LVMH's supplier code of conduct that requires business partners to commit to fair pay practices and legal work hours, said in a statement that it was only made aware of the existence of the subcontractors in May following investigations by military police from the Milan labor protection unit, after which it cut ties with the offending supplier 'within 24 hours.' It was during the same month that the Carabinieri arrested the owner of a Chinese workshop that produced Loro Piana-branded cashmere jackets in the northwestern suburbs of Milan. One of his workers had accused him of physical assault, causing injuries requiring more than a month of medical treatment, for demanding 10,000 euros ($11,700) in owed wages. Further inspection of the factory found that its 10 Chinese employees, five of whom were undocumented immigrants, were made to toil up to 90 hours a week, seven days a week, for 4 euros ($4.70) an hour. Italy doesn't have a national minimum wage, but trade unions consider 7 to 9 euros ($8 to $10.50) to be an adequate benchmark. The Carabinieri broadened its investigation to two intermediary companies and three Chinese workshops, also in the Milan area, identifying 21 workers, of whom 10 lacked proper registration and were working covertly. Instead of appropriate housing, many slept on the production floor or in illegally established rooms inside the workshops, it said. While the owners of the contracting and subcontracting companies are under investigation by Milan prosecutors for stoking sweatshop-like conditions, Loro Piana itself faces no criminal investigation. The administration can be lifted before the year runs out, as was the case with Armani and Dior, if the company adjusts its supply chain practices to the court's satisfaction. 'Loro Piana firmly condemns any illegal practices and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding human rights and compliance with all applicable regulations throughout its supply chain,' the brand said. 'Loro Piana is committed to ensuring that all its suppliers comply with the maison's highest quality and ethical standards in line with its code of conduct. In this perspective, Loro Piana has been constantly reviewing and will continue to strengthen its control and audit activities.' The owner of an intermediary company told prosecutors that she had, in recent years, been producing 6,000-7,000 jackets per year for Loro Piana at an agreed cost of 118 euros ($138) apiece for orders exceeding 100 items and 128 euros ($149) for those under 100 items. A women's cashmere-and-silk-blended jacket on the brand's website retails for more than $4,000. A men's topper made from the 'Gift of Kings' wool, a type of merino, costs $11,500. In its statement, Loro Piana said that the reported figures 'are not representative' of the amounts it paid to its supplier, nor do they consider the 'full value of all the elements,' including raw materials and fabrics. The 100-year-old brand has previously come under scrutiny for allegedly not fairly compensating Indigenous workers who harvest the rare fur of the vicuña—a wild form of alpaca—in Peru, where prices for the commodity have been steadily falling, according to a Bloomberg investigation last year. At the time, Loro Piana pushed back at what it said was an unfair and inaccurate depiction of its 'genuine and longstanding engagement' with the vicuña community. The Carabinieri said in a statement they have shuttered two of the factories—a third turned out to be a shell company with no production capacity—and imposed a collective fine of more than 240,000 euros ($280,000). LVMH, the world's largest luxury group, paid 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) for 80 percent of Loro Piana in 2013. Kendall Roy, a character from the HBO TV series 'Succession,' famously paired a $500-plus Loro Piana baseball cap with his custom suits and Gucci sneakers, driving the brand into the wider public consciousness and sparking thousands of fashion trend pieces. Whether this imbroglio will further diminish the label's stature among the well-heeled remains to be seen, particularly amid a broader luxury slowdown. 'Loro Piana expresses its full willingness to cooperate with the relevant authorities on this matter and intends to provide the utmost support for any further investigations,' it said. Solve the daily Crossword
Independent Singapore
a day ago
- Independent Singapore
Indonesian police bust baby trafficking ring with links to Singapore adoptions
Indonesia/Singapore: In a story that raises disturbing questions about desperation, exploitation, and cross-border ethics, Indonesian police have arrested 12 individuals involved in what they describe as a baby trafficking syndicate — a network that allegedly moved infants from West Java to Singapore under the guise of adoption. They also arrested a dozen suspects across Jakarta, Pontianak and the Javanese city of Bandung. The ring came to light after parents — who were allegedly complicit in the scheme — reported their children missing when promised payments from traffickers failed to materialise. Authorities say the syndicate operated across multiple provinces, targeting mothers in crisis — unwed, impoverished, or otherwise unable to care for their newborns — and offering them money in exchange for their babies. According to West Java police, at least 24 infants were trafficked, with 14 documented as sent to Singapore , some as young as three months old . The babies were reportedly moved from Java to Pontianak in Borneo , and then abroad. Six infants were rescued in time — five in Pontianak and one near Jakarta — but for the rest, their whereabouts remain uncertain. 'These were not isolated incidents,' said Surawan , director of general criminal investigation, who spoke on behalf of the Indonesian police. 'This was a syndicate. Each member had a defined role — from recruiting mothers to falsifying documents, to arranging passports and logistics.' The infants were allegedly sold by their parents for IDR 11 million to 16 million , or about S$900 to S$1,300 — a price that reflects not just the desperation of the seller, but the demand of the buyer. A human crisis, not just a criminal one Trafficking syndicates thrive in environments where marginalised mothers have few choices. In this case, many of the women were said to have 'agreed' to the process, but in contexts where consent is blurred by poverty, trauma, and manipulation. This case is not unique to Indonesia. Across the Global South, 'manufactured orphans' are not a rarity but a symptom of a larger crisis: unprotected motherhood. In India , Guatemala , and even parts of Africa , babies have been stolen, sold, or substituted for stillbirths. Parents are often deceived into signing away rights they don't understand, with adoption framed as education or shelter. These are not just legal violations. They are failures of social support , access to justice , and international safeguards on adoption practices. More than law enforcement This is not just a matter of law enforcement. It's a humanitarian issue. The economic desperation that drives mothers to surrender their infants cannot be solved by arrests alone. Singaporean's have expressed their concerns about ethical adoption and child welfare, activists have called on authorities to also strengthen transparency in our adoption ecosystem — including scrutiny of agencies , cross-border procedures , and adoption motivations . For now, six children are safe. But many more may have been quietly passed across a border, into new names, new identities, and families that may never know the truth. The real crime isn't just what's illegal. It's what becomes invisible.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Blue Rose Foundation Appoints Dominnique Karetsos as Chief Impact Officer to Lead Global Anti-Trafficking and Advocacy Expansion
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Rose Foundation, a leading nonprofit dedicated to preventing human trafficking, grooming, and exploitation through education and advocacy, is proud to announce the appointment of Dominnique Karetsos as its new Chief Impact Officer, effective July 1, 2025. Karetsos, a respected strategist and impact advisor with decades of experience in nonprofit advancement, social justice, and fundraising, will spearhead the Foundation's next phase of growth. Her appointment marks a pivotal step in scaling national campaigns, global partnerships, and transformational funding strategies aimed at dismantling exploitation networks and supporting survivor healing. "Dominnique brings an unmatched combination of vision, integrity, and results-driven leadership to our mission," said Alana Stott, MBE, Founder and CEO of the Blue Rose Foundation. "Her insight and energy will be instrumental in building a more accountable and compassionate future for those we serve." In her role, Karetsos will lead philanthropic strategy, strengthen cross-sector alliances, and elevate the Foundation's visibility across policy, media, and grassroots platforms. Her leadership will support the expansion of initiatives such as our trauma healing programs, the ACTT training for law enforcement, and international survivor empowerment programs. "It is an honor to join the Blue Rose Foundation at such a critical time," said Karetsos. "I am deeply committed to amplifying this movement and ensuring that every child, survivor, and advocate has the tools and protection they deserve." The Blue Rose Foundation operates through a dual-impact model—uniting education, legislation, and survivor-led healing to prevent abuse and end systemic exploitation. Its latest initiatives include the launch of the Triton Tribe, the Blue Rose Circle, and the forthcoming ACTT law enforcement training program. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Alana Stott, MBEinfo@ +1 (949) 988 1537
