Media, PA – “In September 2023, Sukhjit Singh, 26, and Kunal Bakhru, 43, were convicted in a human trafficking scheme involving an 11-year-old girl who was sold into sexual servitude. Today, I am enormously proud to announce that my Special Victims Team, led by Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kemp, obtained lengthy prison sentences for these two men. Defendant Singh – who was convicted following a jury trial before the Honorable Margaret Amoroso — was convicted on rape of a child, indecent assault, corruption of minors, trafficking a minor for sexual servitude, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and conspiracy offences, received a sentence of 33 ½ – 67 years in prison for his heinous actions. Defendant Bakhru was convicted on trafficking, simple assault and conspiracy to rape of a child, conspiracy to indecent assault of a minor and conspiracy to trafficking, and received a sentence of 18–36 years for his actions.
This was a truly heinous case in which two men conspired to sell a young girl for Defendant Singh’s sexual gratification. The evil demonstrated by these two defendants is almost incomprehensible. The damage to the victim can never be undone, but we hope and pray that today’s result provides her with a measure of peace.
In another tremendous result for our Special Victims Unit, William Walker, 68, was sentenced by the Honorable Kevin Kelly to 7½ –15 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of trafficking, child pornography, and the dissemination of child pornography. Assistant District Attorney Bryan Barth argued for, and obtained, a sentence in the aggravated range for these crimes, and I commend his tenacity and dedication to seeking justice for the victim.
January is a month that is dedicated to raising awareness of the evils of human trafficking. Sadly, human trafficking and child exploitation takes many forms, and can occur anywhere. They are some of the saddest, most heart-breaking cases we encounter as prosecutors. We are extremely fortunate to have the assistance of the men and women of the Special Victims Unit, as well as Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, each of whom is dedicated to protecting child victims. My appreciation is deep for the work of my team and all the members of ICAC and our Child Abuse and Exploitation Task Force. They truly perform heroic work.”
The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigation Division remind anyone in Delaware County who observes suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
Contact: Margie McAboy, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-579-0429.