For Immediate Release:

February 14, 2012

Contact:  Elise Marsh

                 804-698-1034

Richmond, VA – Today, Delegate Comstock’s House Bill 546, which will crack down on gangs involved in human trafficking and prostitution, passed unanimously.

Delegate Comstock issued the following statement:

“HB 546 is a bill to crack down on the heinous and growing practice of gang crimes expanding into human trafficking and prostitution.  This legislation was at the request of a gang investigator with the Fairfax County Policy Department after observing, over the past months and years, the growth of gangs such as MS-13 operating prostitution rings in Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria.  These traffickers are forcing minor girls as young as 12 into these criminal enterprises.  These unspeakable crimes against young girls and children must be attacked with the full force of the law.  This will provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to arrest and charge offenders for criminal street gang activity involving prostitution.”

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