Mike Lamonea, Peg Roberts, and Dewey Mann from Homeland Security Investigations
The Program
Rotarian of the Day John Padgett introduced speaker Mike Lamonea, president of the Great Bridge Rotary, and Assistant Special Agent for Homeland Security Investigations in Norfolk. Mike showed a video depicting Homeland Security Investigations, including intervention for drug smuggling, cyber crime, artifact theft, weapons smuggling, gang activity, and illegal movement of people and goods. Mike introduced Dewey Mann, group supervisor for the Human Trafficking Task Force, and Task Force member Peg Roberts. Dewey started by noting that Virginia is 13th in the country for reported cases of human trafficking, and that human trafficking is the second-largest crime worldwide, after narcotics. He noted that human trafficking is a hidden crime because victims rarely seek help out of fear.
Dewey and Peg talked about how sex and labor trafficking are marked by force, fraud, and coercion and commercial exploitation, and cited cased examples including that of Victor Krus in Virginia Beach. Krus assembled janitorial services and hotel staffs in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Portsmouth, encompassing 22 corporations generating $11 million. Krus would put employee victims in apartments housing 12-15 people, and instruct them to have no contact with neighbors or apartment management. He praises organizations that provide victim services and prevention and outreach, including HER Shelter, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Genevieve, and the YWCA. He cited hotline numbers for human trafficking reporting, including 866-DHS-2ICE, the Homeland Service Investigation Tipline; 215-0144 for Genevieve, which he called a one-stop shop for reporting, and 888-373-7888, the Hampton Roads Coordinated Response Hotline.
Peg was asked about telltale signs for human trafficking. She said to watch for a lack of eye contact, for employees who are not allowed to talk to anyone who asks questions, and for freedom of movement, which can indicate control.
Dewey talked about the complexity cases without a stable victim. “It’s hard to form a case,” he said. “it can take months to get a victim’s trust.” He described his work as a calling, even with inherent risks. “Our bigger concern is the victims,” he said. “Our primary care is getting them stabilized.”
The Meeting
We welcomed Katie Lenerville, Corporate Sales Director for the Norfolk Admirals, as a member of the club. She was sponsored by Chip Vogan.
There were seven visitors at our March 6 meeting at the Town Point Club:
- Saqqara Carroll, who came with Sigur Whitaker;
- Jane Coradi and Terry Putman, who came with Rick Coradi;
- Sheri Searing, who came with John Searing;
- Deb Collins and Christa Fulton who came with Ann K. Sullivan;
- Chad Stenzel, who came with Anthony Mia.
President Gary Boswick asked us to sign a condolence card for George Compo, whose mother passed away.
Gary also asked us to vote for Jim Sell, a clergyman, was previously a member of the Club.
A report was given on Suds and Buds, with members asked to bring bottles of wine next week for the wine pull. Receipts are available for donations.
February make-up reports are due by March 12 to Jane Dembert.
Upcoming Flexible activities:
- We are invited to sit in on an editorial staff meeting at The Virginian-Pilot March 30 at 2:45 p.m.
- We’ll also have our first scavenger hunt April 24. RSVP Sharon Laderberg for the first clue.
- There will be a golf outing on May 22.
- The club is establishing a satellite club which held its inaugural meeting on March 8 at Stripers in the Waterside District. Dues will be less than $100 per year.
- There will also be a board meeting Monday, March 12.
- Read to Kindergartners at P. B. Young Elementary School, 543 E. Olney Road from 9:15-10 a.m. on Saturday, March 24. Opportunity is through Horizons Hampton Roads Inc
- Good Mojo Thrift Store, April 4, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.,
Happy Bucks
- Jane Dembert had Happy Bucks for the Bucknell Bison’s Men’s Basketball team and announced that she is having hip replacement surgery.
- Gary gave Happy Bucks for a week-long fishing trip in Florida, saying he hadn’t shaved or worn long pants for seven days.
- Dyteya Lewis gave Happy Bucks for Jane Dembert and her devotion to Rotary.
In the speakers’ honor, a book called The Night Parade was presented to Oceanair Elementary School.
Gary closed the meeting saying that we’ll be back at Scope next week, with Bob Heely leading the Career Day program.