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U.S. Marshals nab wanted sex suspect at Wilkes-Barre home

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<p>SCRANTON &#8212; A Scranton man has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly running a drug and sex trafficking operation in the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre areas.</p><p>Mark Cook, 39, known by his street name &#8220;Lucky,&#8221; was charged Tuesday with a count of sex trafficking of a victim by force, fraud and coercion. The alleged trafficking occurred between December 2015 and January 2016.</p><p>This charge joins four other counts of sex trafficking, a count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and a count of attempted sex trafficking that were previously filed against him.</p><p>Cook allegedly used a website to post advertisements for prostitution.</p><p>Prosecutors say he rented hotel rooms in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and elsewhere to facilitate prostitution, and used intimidation, threats, assault and the sale of illegal drugs to further the business.</p><p>Cook is also accused of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and MDMA &#8212; more commonly known by its street name of molly.</p><p>In addition to all that, he is charged with witness tampering and wire fraud.</p><p>Cook was charged after an investigation by the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police and Scranton Police.</p><p>He will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis P. Sempa and Jenny S. Roberts.</p><p>Each of the five sex trafficking offenses carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with the maximum being life in prison.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Patrick Kernan</p><p>pkernan@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Scranton man indicted for allegedly trafficking sex, drugs