13 alleged members of violent sex trafficking gang charged

Local and State officials announced that 13 people from Reading, with ties to a local gang, have been charged in a 22-count superseding indictment.

ABC reports that most of the gang members are already behind bars.

The suspects have been accused of countless charges ranging from kidnapping, sex trafficking, murder, racketeering, and more.

Officials told outlets that their operation was run from a boarding house on the 100 block of S. 4th St. in Reading.

U.S. Attorney William McSwain announced the additional charges during a press conference Wednesday, which were a product of a year-long investigation. The investigation involved Reading Police, Homeland Security, and other organizations.

McSwain described the gang’s alleged behavior as “violent and dehumanizing,” before delving into graphic details about one case involving an underage girl that was allegedly forced into an encounter with a gun held to her head.

Later on, McSwain said that the underage victim was stripped naked and locked in a dog kennel.

All but one of the suspects have already been arrested. ABC reported that they are working out terms for the 13th man’s surrender. This is expected to happen by the end of the week.