A Philadelphia man, Walter Tharrington, also known as "Black" and "Roaadblock," has been convicted of sex trafficking a minor and child pornography offenses. The United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the conviction, which occurred on April 9.
Tharrington was charged in August 2024. The charges included sex trafficking of a minor and both advertising and possession of child pornography. Evidence presented during the trial showed that in the summer of 2023, Tharrington enlisted a 14-year-old, referred to as Minor 1, in commercial sex activities. He facilitated these activities by using online advertisements to attract clients and set the pricing structure.
Using his mobile device, Tharrington posted explicit content involving Minor 1. He also directed Minor 1's actions during these encounters, collecting the proceeds for himself while providing shelter to the minor.
Minor 1 suffered physical assaults by Tharrington, with another minor corroborating these claims and indicating attempts to recruit her as well. Tharrington is yet to be sentenced but could face life imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Metcalf commented, "Walter Tharrington made money by sexually exploiting a child, advertising her for sex with strangers... my office and the FBI are working every day to put traffickers like this defendant behind bars and ensure some justice for their victims."
Special Agent Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI's Philadelphia Field Office remarked, "This conviction is a powerful testament to the tireless efforts of the FBI and our dedicated law enforcement partners... It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for victims and holding predators accountable."
The case forms part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative combatting child sexual exploitation, initiated by the Department of Justice in 2006. The FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office contributed to the investigation. Prosecutors for the case are Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Ashenfelter and Amanda McCool.
For more details on Project Safe Childhood, visit projectsafechildhood.gov.
