LURGAN TOWNSHIP – What began as a case of erratic driving on Wednesday, Nov. 19, turned into a human trafficking case and stabbing, Pennsylvania State Police reported.
The incident began at 5:39 p.m. when a trooper found a vehicle that had driven into the median on Highway 176 E. at Mile Marker 1999.5 in Lurgan Township, Franklin County. Two males were present in the vehicle along with one female. One of the males was suffering from a deep laceration to his neck/shoulder area, troopers said.
The female fled the scene. Aid was rendered and the male was flown to Penn State Holy Spirit for treatment. The female was located a short distance away by other Troop T members. Preliminary indicators of human trafficking were observed and the Troop H – Major Case Team was activated to conduct the investigation.
Through investigation, it was learned that the female was unknown to the two male occupants. It was alleged that the female believed she was being transported to New York; however, it was found that she was being transported to Philadelphia. It was alleged that upon arrival, she would be forced to engage in coerced sexual activity and was threatened if she resisted, according to State Police.
The males, identified as Jose Antonio Hernandez Guiterrez, 30, and Edgar Jesus Espinoza Gamboa, 28, were subsequently charged with human trafficking, simple assault and terroristic threats and lodged in the Franklin County Jail, troopers said.
The investigation remains ongoing by the Troop H – Major Case Team and the Pennsylvania
State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
