The Virginia Beach Police Department has charged five people following a two-day human trafficking and vice operation aimed at identifying trafficking victims, reducing the demand for commercial sex, and targeting individuals accused of exploiting or attempting to recruit minors for prostitution.
The operation, conducted on July 3, involved detectives from the department’s Special Investigations Bureau (SIB), who used a variety of investigative techniques throughout Virginia Beach to identify people allegedly involved in prostitution, human trafficking, and crimes against children.
According to police, the operation resulted in five arrests on charges ranging from solicitation of prostitution to sex trafficking and offenses involving minors. Investigators also seized two vehicles and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. Individuals identified as potential victims were connected with support services through Samaritan House when appropriate.
Those charged are:
- Shane Carter, 28, of Norfolk — charged with solicitation of prostitution.
- Robert Harris, 64, of Virginia Beach — charged with solicitation of prostitution and assault and battery.
- Larry Pittman, 53, of Portsmouth — charged with sex trafficking and use of electronic devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors.
- Kenric Frazier, 46, of Portsmouth — charged with sex trafficking, use of electronic devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors, and solicitation of child pornography.
- Cameron Lewis, 24, of Norfolk — charged with solicitation of prostitution.
Police said detectives also developed additional leads involving individuals suspected of trafficking and exploiting people for commercial sex. Those investigations remain active, and additional arrests or charges could follow pending further investigation and consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
The Virginia Beach Police Department said it continues to prioritize investigations into human trafficking and child exploitation, with operations designed to identify victims, disrupt trafficking networks, and hold offenders accountable.
The department’s Special Investigations Bureau is a member of both the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force and the regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The Hampton Roads task force coordinates victim services, investigates sex and labor trafficking cases, supports prosecutions, and conducts public education on human trafficking. The effort is funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim of human trafficking, or who has information about a potential victim, can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline confidentially at 1-888-373-7888.