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How a Pennsylvania Shooting Led to Police Uncovering 2 Rival Human Trafficking Operations
A turf war between rival traffickers led to a shooting that uncovered weapons, a stolen vehicle, and a trafficking victim, authorities said.
- A ShotSpotter alert at about 7:24 p.m. on Feb. 13 prompted detectives to find Fernando Meza-Ramirez, 42, shot in his Toyota RAV4 on the 400 block of Sandy Street, sparking a trafficking probe.
- Officials say rival rings competing for territory prompted the clash, as authorities allege Meza-Ramirez and Flores-Rodriguez ran competing sex-trafficking rings along the New York City—Norristown corridor.
- Detectives searched a Jacoby Street residence on Feb. 17, seizing the white Acura TLX, two loaded semi-automatic firearms, and the identified female victim from Flushing, New York.
- Both suspects were arrested on Feb. 17 and arraigned on Feb. 18; they were denied bail and remain in Montgomery County Correctional Facility, with a preliminary hearing set for April 10, 2026.
- Investigators say Montanez, a neighbor, reported hearing activity for about two months, with `It is crazy and it's dangerous... I don't know if it's been two months`. Business cards advertising sex services were also recovered.
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Sex trafficking rivals arrested after turf war shooting in Norristown, police say
Efran Flores-Rodriguez, 24, of Norristown, and Fernando Meza-Ramirez, 42, of Corona, New York, have been charged with human trafficking following a shooting investigation, Montgomery County prosecutors say. Flores-Rodriguez also is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting Meza-Ramirez.
·Philadelphia, United States
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Two men arrested for running rival sex trafficking operations in Montgomery County
Authorities in Montgomery County announced the arrests of 42-year-old Fernando Meza-Ramirez and 24-year-old Efran Flores-Rodriguez Thursday, accusing both of running rival human trafficking operations in Norristown.
·Philadelphia, United States
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
L 27%
C 73%
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