Hotel meetup ends in arrest for Pa. man in trafficking case

Caernarvon Township man sentenced to up to five years in prison in trafficking sting involving undercover operation

by Local News Report

CAERNARVON TWP., Pa. — A Caernarvon Township man has been sentenced to two and a half to five years in state prison, followed by five years of probation, after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a human trafficking sting conducted by the Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force.

Luke R. Martin, 62, of the 1800 block of East Main Street, entered a guilty plea on July 3 to charges including statutory sexual assault, patronizing a victim of human trafficking, and criminal use of a communication facility.

According to prosecutors, Martin responded to an online advertisement in February 2024 and arranged to pay money to meet with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. He was taken into custody when he arrived at a hotel in Ephrata Township where the meeting was set to take place.

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Judge Jeffrey Conrad imposed the sentence, which also includes a $300 fine. Before serving his prison term, Martin will undergo an evaluation to determine whether he qualifies for designation as a sexually violent predator.

Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick prosecuted the case. Charges were filed by Mount Joy Borough Police Officer Christine Keiffer.

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