Human Trafficking, Artificial Intelligence, and the Responsibility to Act
Berks County Patriots Meeting – Part II
The second presentation at the Berks County Patriots meeting was difficult to hear but impossible to ignore. It focused on one of the fastest-growing crimes affecting children today—human trafficking, online exploitation, artificial intelligence, and the dangers our children face every time they log onto social media or online gaming platforms.
The presentation was delivered by two speakers whose backgrounds reflect years of public service, education, and advocacy.
Retired Colonel Doug Lengenfelder
The first speaker was Retired Colonel Doug Lengenfelder, a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He also earned master's degrees in Computer Science, Public Administration, and National Security Strategy. Colonel Lengenfelder served more than 30 years in the United States Air Force, including Special Forces assignments, and was present at the Pentagon during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Today, he works part-time for Pennsylvania Senator Cris Dush and serves on the Board of Directors of the Challenger Learning Center in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Colonel Lengenfelder also spoke about the work of The Asservo Project, an organization dedicated to educating communities about human trafficking, online exploitation, and child protection.
Human Trafficking Is Modern-Day Slavery
Many people picture human trafficking as stranger abductions. According to the presentation, that is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding this crime.
Human trafficking often begins with trust, attention, manipulation, and grooming rather than physical force.
The presenters explained that under both federal law and Pennsylvania law, when a minor is commercially sexually exploited, force, fraud, or coercion generally does not have to be proven for the child to be considered a trafficking victim.¹
Human trafficking can involve compelling someone to perform commercial sex acts in exchange for money, food, shelter, drugs, or protection.
One statement that particularly resonated with me was:
"Slavery didn't disappear—it evolved."
Human trafficking is now recognized as one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the world, generating enormous profits for criminal organizations.
The presenters explained that while drug traffickers can sell narcotics only once, victims of human trafficking may be exploited repeatedly, making trafficking an extremely profitable crime.
Technology Has Changed the Battlefield
Much of the presentation focused on how technology has dramatically changed the way predators locate and exploit children.
Artificial Intelligence now allows predators to manipulate ordinary photographs into sexually explicit images.
One example discussed involved a recent Lancaster County case in which two 16-year-olds were charged after allegedly using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of classmates. According to public reports, dozens of felony charges were filed.²
The speakers also discussed the growing crime of sextortion, where predators convince children or teenagers to send intimate photographs before threatening to release those images unless additional photos or money is provided.
One heartbreaking example involved a young man connected to the Shippensburg area whose death was linked to an online sextortion scheme.³
Perhaps the most sobering story involved a mother who realized her son was being groomed by an online predator while he appeared to be safely sitting next to his father playing an online video game.
The danger was already inside the home.
Social Media and Online Gaming
The presenters warned that predators increasingly use social media platforms and online gaming communities to locate vulnerable children.
Children naturally seek friendship, acceptance, belonging, and attention.
Predators understand these emotional needs and deliberately exploit them.
The speakers shared the results of an undercover law-enforcement exercise conducted using a fictitious 15-year-old online profile. According to the presentation, seven adult men contacted the profile within the first hour. After only nine days, 92 adult men had initiated contact, requiring five investigators to manage the volume of communications.
The experiment was repeated using an online profile portraying an 11-year-old child.
According to the presenters, the first predator contacted the account within 1 minute and 7 seconds, and a live video request followed within 5 minutes.
Whether those exact timelines surprise you or not, the message was unmistakable:
Predators are actively searching for children online every day.
The speakers also warned parents about online gaming platforms where predators often attempt to establish relationships with children before moving the conversations to private messaging apps.
The Scope of the Problem
Several statistics shared during the presentation demonstrate the magnitude of this crisis.
According to the International Labour Organization, approximately 49.6 million people worldwide were living in situations of modern slavery in 2021.⁴
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported receiving more than 88 million reports of suspected Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) through its CyberTipline during 2022—approximately double the number reported just four years earlier.⁵
The presenters also discussed the enormous financial incentive behind trafficking, stating that human trafficking generates an estimated $236 billion annually worldwide, making it one of the most profitable criminal enterprises globally.⁶
Colonel Lengenfelder reminded us that trafficking is driven by one simple economic principle:
Supply and demand.
Recognizing Vulnerability
One of the most important lessons from the evening was that traffickers do not simply look for children—they look for vulnerability.
Children living with poverty, unstable home lives, foster care involvement, emotional isolation, or family dysfunction may be especially vulnerable.
Parents should watch for warning signs, including:
- withdrawal from family and friends
- isolation
- sudden behavioral changes
- secretive online activity
- controlling relationships
- anxiety or depression
- self-harm
- unexplained gifts or money
The presenters stressed that trafficking is occurring in communities across Pennsylvania.
It is not confined to large cities.
It is not someone else's problem.
It is our problem.
From Awareness to Action
The second speaker was Dilonna Coran, a speaker and ministry leader who serves as the Pennsylvania State Director for Concerned Women for America (CWA). She is also the Executive Director of Greater Hope Care Center in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Coran speaks on issues including the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and the fight against human trafficking.
Her presentation focused less on statistics and more on our responsibility as parents, churches, schools, and communities.
One statement particularly stood out:
"Awareness itself won't protect a child. Information won't stop exploitation. At some point, what we know must move us into what we do."
She reminded us that behind every headline is a child.
Behind every statistic is a family trying to make sense of something unimaginable.
Trafficking often begins quietly.
It starts with trust.
Attention.
A relationship that feels like friendship or love.
Gradually, that care shifts into manipulation and control.
Young people want to be loved, heard, accepted, and valued.
Predators know this.
One Person Can Make a Difference
Mrs. Coran closed with a quote that I hope stays with everyone who heard it:
"If you think you're too small to make a difference, you've never gone to sleep with a mosquito in the room."
She reminded us that:
- One voice can expose what is hidden.
- One citizen can awaken a community.
- One survivor can shine light into darkness.
- One parent can protect a child.
- One church can become a refuge.
- One advocate can help change public policy.
Those words perfectly captured the spirit of the evening.
A Growing Need in Our Communities
The presentation concluded by discussing the urgent need for additional crisis shelters and recovery services for children who have experienced trafficking and exploitation, particularly in Berks and Montgomery Counties.
As difficult as this topic is, I left the meeting convinced of one thing:
Protecting our children cannot be someone else's responsibility.
It belongs to all of us.
Awareness is only the beginning.
Action must follow.
Aurora Stuski for Congress
Fighting for Berks and Montgomery Counties
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Blue Campaign – https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign
- International Labour Organization – Global Estimates of Modern Slavery – https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/publications/WCMS_854733