Child Sex Trade Investigation Leads To Charges Against 2 Local Men
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A two-year investigation into the child sex trade has resulted in the arrests of two local men, one of whom has pleaded guilty to charges in federal court and the other who police tracked to another state and have now brought back here to also face charges.
U.S. Attorney David Hickton said at news conference late Wednesday that for the first time, his office has charged a "john" in a human trafficking case involving a minor.
"If you purchase sex with children, we will charge you," Hickton said during the news conference.
Joseph Clemenic Jr., 44, of Wilmerding, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. He faces sentencing in November.
Until his resignation earlier this month, he was the public works director in East McKeesport.
Clemenic's name surfaced several months ago, when police conducted a prostitution sting at Station Square.
Hickton said Clemenic is accused of purchasing an underage girl from a Homestead man, 34-year-old Mario Grisom.
"A search of Grisom's cellular phone seized by law enforcement revealed numerous text messages between Grisom and Clemenic," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Smolar. "The text messages during March of 2015 and April of 2015 specifically revealed that Clemenic requested underage girls for commercial sex from Grisom, and paid Grisom for commercial sex acts with a 15-year-old juvenile."
The text messages also revealed that Clemenic specifically requested girls ages 15 and 16, investigators said. Clemenic admitted that at least three girls, all minors, came to his home for purposes of sex.
"The case against Clemenic represents the first time that this office has charged a purchaser," said Hickton.
The U.S. Attorney says Grisom has been involved in child sex trafficking since 2012 and tried to run from law enforcement.
"Grisom victimized a 15-year-old child in 2015 and another child in 2012," said Hickson. "While Grisom initially fled Pennsylvania, he was captured by the U.S. Marshal's Service in Mississippi and brought back to our jurisdiction to answer the charges. As a result of a court proceeding today, Grisom will remain in custody pending trial."
Authorities are now trying to determine whether he sold children to any other buyers.
"There is more to the investigation. The investigation is underway," said Hickton.
Hickton also said he believed targeting the buyers, like Clemenic, is an effective way to try to curb the illegal trafficking of young girls.
Alishia Toth, of Wilmerding, said, "I love kids around here. I'm glad they got him off the street, to protect the children in this community."
Clemenic faces anywhere 87 to 108 months in jail. Grisom is looking at minimum of 10 years to a life sentence on both charges.
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