Operation Mag: Trafficking in Adolescents

By Cynthia Caron, Guest Writer

An increase in suspicious activities along with endangering our youth seems to be occurring in the door-to-door magazine sales industry.  We are hearing horror stories that the young people hired to do the jobs are either not getting paid, are withheld from meal tickets and are sometimes made to sleep on hard floors should they not meet their daily quota's.  We, at LostNMissing, Inc. are asking that all parents be aware of this potential crime against young adolescents hoping to make a "break" into the world.

They are promised travel.  Which sometimes they are provided.  They are taken from their home states and usually to another state further away. They are "trained" on the magazine sales and dropped off on street corners to go door to door to sell the magazines.

Many of those who are "employed" are young adolescents who have had problems and this is their "break" into an adventurous life.  It's also common that those "employed" are extremely vulnerable young adolescents who have troubled pasts or special need young adults.  We understand they are rarely ever paid for their work.  As with all businesses, some may be legit and are doing a service and following the laws, however, not all.  To safeguard, should young magazine sales folks come to your home, please ask the following questions:

1. Are you ok?

2. Would you like to have me call your parents for you?

3. Are you being fed?

4. Are you being paid for your sales work?

5. Can you go home on your own free will if you choose?

Should they divulge to you that they are "in trouble", please phone your local police right away.  You just may be their only savior.

The Better Business Bureau has written an article in May 2009 warning consumers of door-to-door fraudulent magazine sales.  In the same article, they talk about how the young folks are also "at risk". 

Read article here: BBB Warns Against a Summer Scam Going Door-to-Door Nationwide

Jennifer M. Hammond, 18

Missing 2003  Deceased identified: Oct. 2009

Skull found in woods in upper state New York has been identified as Jennifer M. Hammond. She went missing in 2003 while doing door to door magazine sales.  This is not to say that her employer had anything to do with her missing status or death, however, it does point towards the dangers of vulnerable young adolescents being away from their familiar surroundings and knocking on doors of unknowns.  Prayers they find whomever caused the death of a young woman only wanting to make a living.

Read article here:Skull fragments identified as missing Colorado woman

Inside Edition did an undercover report regarding the door to door magazine sales industry and talked with a number of youth who were exploited and told of their experiences. You can read the article here:  Youngsters abuse drugs while driving in vans, party in motels every night, and are exploited by managers 

October 2009: When two young men wanted out of magazine sales, they were beaten with bats and brass knuckles in their motel room. Two were hospitalized and 6 men arrested.

Read story here: Tacoma, Washinton magazine sales meeting ends in beatings

A horrific van crash of a group of young magazine sales team.The driver bolted from the vehicle and was unlicensed. Drugs and alcohol played a role, as well. Sentencing was 7 years in jail. One year for each death.

The below is courtesy of Traveling Sales Crew Information Web Site. (See link below to their site)

Ad that ran to attract young adolescents:

ABSOLUTE FUN!

XXX  is in town and needs 18-25 sharp

& enthusiastic guys & gals.  If you are money

motivated and tired of fast food or minimum

wage, we offer 2 week paid training. All expenses

paid. No experience necessary. If you are out-

going and can start immediately, Please call XXX

241-41XX and ask for Mr. HXXXX

(Mon. thru Wed.)

(The above group has already been disbanned and charged with crimes.)

Alcohol and drugs to minors was eliminated from the ad.

The below is the van from the 1999 Janesville, WI crash scene.

Peter Christman, Cory Hanson, Amber Marie Lettman, Crystal Faith McDaniel, Marshall Lee Roberts, Malinda Lillian Turvey, Joseph Wild all killed in the van crash in Janesville, Wisconsin. They were young magazine sales youth. 5 others maimed for life, one a quadriplegic 15 year old girl.

To view the memorial page for these young lives, gone too soon, please
click here: Van Crash Memorial

Please see (click link): Traveling Sales Crews  Information Web Site

RESCUE ORGANIZATION FOR TRAVELING SALES YOUTH

An excellent Organization that has been fighting against door-to-door abuse of traveling sales crews, as well as rescuing those who may find themselves alone in strange cities is: 

Parent Watch

2790 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025
917.579.4641

A clearinghouse for information
on traveling sales crews.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PARENT WATCH WEBSITE