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What’s Up, NEPA?/Good Eats!

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Nanticoke police announce arrests stemming from alleged purse snatching

<p>SCRANTON &#8212; The U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Scranton man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy that allegedly took place at several hotels and motels in Northeastern Pennsylvania.</p><p>Justin Strait, 26, was sentenced to six years in prison on Tuesday by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton.</p><p>According to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler in a news release, Strait previously admitted that he assisted three other men in the sex trafficking activity during early-to-mid 2014. Strait pleaded guilty in July 2015.</p><p>Munley also ordered Strait to serve five years on supervised release following his prison sentence. Strait must also register as a sex offender and comply with all sex offender notification requirements of federal and state law.</p><p>Three other men connected to the sex trafficking conspiracy have also pleaded guilty &#8212; Sean Cantelmo was sentenced to 151 months in prison, Jimmy Cantelmo was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Mark Matis is awaiting sentencing.</p><p>Strait and his co-conspirators recruited the minor to engage in prostitution, rented motel rooms for purposes of prostitution, provided condoms to the minor, photographed the minor and posted advertisements for &#8220;escort services&#8221; on a website, according to Brandler.</p><p>The suspects also provided illegal drugs to the minor and acted as security during prostitution activities.</p><p>The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Times Leader Staff</p></bylineMeta></div>

Scranton man sentenced to prison for role in sex trafficking conspiracy