Sex-trafficking Ringleaders In East Whiteland Land Decades In Prison

WEST CHESTER, PA - Two men were sentenced by Chester County Judge Alito Rovito to several decades each in state prison Wednesday for running a widespread sex-trafficking ring in East Whiteland Township.

Dimas Omar Hernandez, “Adonys,” 36, of Malvern was sentenced to 35 to 70 years, and Franklin Rivera-Mendieta, “Mono,” 27, of Downingtown was sentenced to 25 to 50 years.

Both were convicted of corrupt organizations, trafficking minors, conspiracy, involuntary servitude, rape, kidnapping, sexual exploitation of children, and related charges.

“As a result of their greed and callousness, the defendants subjected these victims to a nightmare where they were repeatedly assaulted and forced to commit unimaginable acts,” District Attorney Deb Ryan said after the sentence.

“These victims were trapped in a vicious cycle of sexual abuse, but they displayed incredible strength and courage, saving themselves and others from future abuse at the hands of these real-life monsters.”

According to court records:

• On May 28, 2020, East Whiteland police were contacted by the Fairfax Virginia Sheriff’s Office about a missing 14-year-old child, whose mother reported receiving a Facebook message from her daughter that said she “didn’t want to be here anymore.”

• The 14-year-old asked her mother to pick her up at a Wawa on Lancaster Avenue in East Whiteland.
• The child then told police that she was recruited by a woman named "Tiny" at a party in Washington D.C.
• The 14-year-old said was taken a Walmart to buy “sexy clothes” for a photograph advertising the child for sex.

• The child told police that she was forced to have sex for money with multiple people each day at three locations in Chester County.
• A second victim, an 18-year-old from Virginia, told police that was promised a job in a bar, but instead was brought to East Whiteland to have sex for money.
• The 18-year-old said she was forced to ingest drugs, and sexually assaulted and threatened by Hernandez.
• She told investigators that she escaped after being held for three weeks in February and March 2020.

Anywho who suspects a child is being abused, call the childline at 1-800-932-0313.

Contact County Coordinator Ozzie Mendoza at emendoza@chesco.org or 610-344-5576 for more information.