State police have been looking for Frankford resident John Calvin “G” Guerra since 2010 to arrest him on charges he ran a violent prostitution ring that recruited minors and advertised its services online.
The Pennsylvania State Police’s Organized Crime Unit found him on Aug. 7 in West Philadelphia.
Guerra, 38, who lived on the 4300 block of Tackawanna St., is accused of running a Philadelphia-area prostitution ring that recruited women as young as 17 with offers of cash or drugs. Guerra allegedly continued to control the women with intimidation and violence, according to a news release from Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s office.
The organization allegedly promoted its services on Craigslist under the “erotic section,” according to Kane’s office. Guerra’s prostitutes were supplied with laptop computers, credit card numbers, digital cameras and cell phones.
Guerra is being held without bail on charges of assault, sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy, display of obscene material, criminal use of a communication facility, corruption of minors and promoting prostitution. He also faces drug charges.
He will have a preliminary hearing Aug. 21 in Room 703 of the Criminal Justice Center, 13th and Filbert streets.
“I hope that some relief comes to the women terrorized and exploited by this individual,” Kane said. “He is finally going to pay for his heinous crimes. Human trafficking in an alarming worldwide crisis, and the effects of sex slaves are devastating for victims and their families.”
Guerra’s co-defendants, Elton Cromwell, Edinelson Mendez Jr. and Duane Roger Thomas, were charged with him in 2010 and have since entered guilty pleas, according to Kane’s office. ••
