PITTSBURGH — A shocking crime spanning several states came to an end in Pittsburgh when a girl was rescued from the basement of a Brighton Heights home.
It was Oct. 30 when U.S. Marshals, the Pittsburgh Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Pittsburgh SWAT, Allegheny County Police and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office brought the child to safety from the Davis Avenue home. She was in a box, covered with a sheet.
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Ki-Shawn Crumity, 26, was arrested, but that was just the beginning of the unraveling of a horrific case of child sex trafficking. Police say it started on Snapchat, where Crumity was communicating with the Louisiana girl and promised to find her a family to adopt her and love her. Within days, the child was sucked into a dark, online world. She traveled across multiple state lines and was abused by several adults along the way.
Detective Joseph Ryczaj works for Pittsburgh Police as an SVU detective. He also investigates sex trafficking for the FBI’s Violent Crimes against Children detail.
“It’s just everywhere,” Detective Ryczaj tells 11 Investigates. “Any of these social media sites - you have no idea who you’re talking to. It’s occurring everywhere in this country. In every major city.”
Detective Ryczaj says there are hundreds of sites online where predators entice their victims with empty promises. In this case, it was Snapchat with an empty promise of a better life.
“You have no idea who you’re talking to,” Detective Ryczaj added. “These young children, they think they’re talking to another 14-year-old boy when in fact they might be talking to a 50-year-old male.”
That’s where Agent Chris Masters comes in. He investigates cyber-crimes for the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and worked with Pittsburgh Police and federal and state law enforcement agencies in Louisiana and Georgia.
“Rich, poor, it doesn’t matter,” Agent Masters tells 11 Investigates. “We’ve seen kids that go to the highest paid private school become victims of this and children in the worst of the worst situations in the worst neighborhoods become victims to this.”
Police say this nightmare began a thousand miles away in Baker, Louisiana, where the victim is from. Police say after meeting Crumity on social media, she left home and went to the Baton Rouge Greyhound station. While she was there, police say Alvin Hanson preyed on her.
“We think this was just a chance meeting,” Agent Masters said. “He saw her there, and that’s where their relationship began.”
Police say Hanson sexually abused her, took her to this homeless shelter to get food, and sent her on her way.
“He was very well aware she was a missing juvenile,” Agent Masters added.
From there, police say the girl traveled to New Orleans, then Columbus, Georgia, where she met Ronald Smith, who also allegedly abused her. Police say the child then traveled to Washington, D.C., where she met a woman named Kashayla Johnson, who went with her to Pittsburgh. Police say inside the Brighton Heights home, Crumity gave the child alcohol and drugs and slept with her in the same bed.
We asked these investigators what they want parents to know. They said with kids and social media, there is no such thing as privacy and to be aware of what apps they’re on, the sites they’re browsing and who they’re communicating with.
“I have daughters and my daughters have got zero privacy,” Agent Masters said. “It’s not because I don’t trust them, it’s because I don’t trust the other people around my daughters.”
From Louisiana to Pittsburgh and every stop in between, these seasoned investigators say it’s collaboration with law enforcement partners that helps bring children like this young victim to safety.
“There was a child saved and will be reunited with her family - that’s why you do this,” Detective Ryczaj said.
“This is probably the most rewarding thing I have done in my career,” Agent Masters added.
The little girl in this case is safe and getting the physical and mental care she needs. When she was rescued, court documents say she told investigators she felt the safest she had ever been.
Investigators say two other adults were in the Pittsburgh home when Crumity was arrested. It is possible that more charges will be coming.
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