Authorities Charge Philadelphia Man With Promoting the Prostitution of a Minor

On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force arrested Preston C. Bell, 26, in Northfield for Promoting the Prostitution of a Minor.

According to an announcement made by Atlantic County Prosecutor, Damon Tyner, Bell was charged with Promoting the Prostitution of a 16 year-old juvenile from Indonesia by allegedly advertising her for sale on Backpage.com as well as by transporting her to and from dates.

The State moved to detain Bell on Wednesday, August 8, but he was released after a detention hearing.

The arrest was the result of a 5 month-long investigation led by Det. Aliya Simnor of the Task Force and is being prosecuted by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Danielle S. Buckley.

These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office website and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.

People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers website.

Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.