Three men have been charged with running a sex trafficking operation that involved at least three women in Polk Township.

The case centers on Thomas Green, 33, of Effort.

The investigation began in January after the Lackawanna County Drug Task Force, while working on a separate prostitution case, encountered a woman who said that she was being trafficked.

Her case was then referred to the Pennsylvania State Police Organized Crime Unit.

Victim No. 1

Investigators interviewed the woman, identified as victim No. 1, who said she met Green on social media. Their early conversations were flirtatious, and Green told her he could help her “make money.”

They arranged what she believed was a regular date in September 2024. She said the encounter began consensually, but Green quickly became violent and continued despite her objections.

Afterward, she said Green told her he ran an “escort business” — which she understood to mean commercial sex work — and implied she had no choice but to participate.

According to the affidavit, Green created online profiles for her, chose the photos, selected what acts would be advertised, set prices and controlled the messaging.

He scheduled her first appointment, sent a driver to pick her up, and waited outside a hotel while she met with a buyer. After each encounter, she turned over half of the money to Green.

Victim No. 1 said she worked for Green between September 2024 and January 2025. She posted ads daily at his direction and met buyers following rules he set.

She said Green manipulated her by pretending they were in a romantic relationship and threatened her when she voiced hesitation.

He told her he had been to prison and was a gang member, warning that cooperating with police “would be bad.”

Victim No. 2

As the investigation continued, police identified a second woman, victim No. 2, who had a tattoo reading “TCG,” believed to match Green’s initials.

Recorded phone calls from 2023, when Green was jailed on an unrelated matter, revealed discussions that investigators say show Green pressuring her into sex work to earn money for him.

Victim No. 2 told investigators she had a difficult upbringing and that Green took advantage of her desire for affection.

She said he initially arranged her appointments, drove her to meet buyers, and later assigned drivers.

Two of those drivers were identified as Christopher Williams, 32, of Emmaus, and Quindell Bowers, 27, of Lithia Springs, Georgia.

She told police she kept none of the money she earned. Buyers usually paid through peer-to-peer apps, and financial records show she sent Green tens of thousands of dollars.

A third victim was later identified. Investigators obtained search warrants for both her phone and Green’s phone as part of the case.

Charges

Green faces 42 charges, including trafficking in individuals, promoting prostitution, involuntary servitude, rape, sexual assault, aggravated assault, and counts related to corrupt organizations and unlawful financial activity.

He appeared before District Judge Colleen Mancuso in Brodheadsville. Wednesday and was denied bail.

Williams faces 15 charges, including trafficking in individuals, promoting prostitution, involuntary servitude, and related conspiracy counts. He is being held in the Monroe County Prison on $500,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 11 before Mancuso.

Bowers faces 26 charges, including trafficking in individuals, promoting prostitution, involuntary servitude, and conspiracy. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing before Mancuso.