HIGH POINT, N.C. — Detectives with the High Point Police Department charged a man with more than 40 felony crimes involving minors.
Joseph Santora, 43, was part of an ongoing sexual offense investigation. He now faces 46 more felony crimes:
- First-degree exploitation of a minor (12 counts)
- Second-degree exploitation of a minor (21 counts)
- Indecent liberties with a child (13 counts)
These additional charges stem from a search warrant executed on April 26 at Santora's home on Gatehouse Road. During the search, detectives seized phones, data storage devices, and digital evidence.
Santora is at the Guilford County Jail without a bond on the latest charges.
The victims in this case are minors, and detectives will not release any additional information about the investigation. Santora was previously charged in a sexual assault investigation.
Previous charges and bond information:
April 26, 2024
- Charged with first degree forcible rape, human trafficking and sexual servitude
- At his first appearance, a judge set Santora's bond at $500,000
April 30, 2024
- Charged with felony possession Schedule VI, possession with intent to sell and distribute marijuana, felony possession Schedule I controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and distribute Schedule I controlled substance, maintain vehicle/dwelling, simple possession Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia
- Santora was given a $25,000 bond by a magistrate. A judge lowered the bond to $500
May 9, 2024
- Charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy
- His bond was set at $5,000
May 24, 2024
- Santora had a bond hearing, and his bond was reduced to $300,000. (This bond hearing was related to the charges on April 26, when his bond was initially set at $500,000)
What happened:
On Feb. 1, 2024, officers responded to a call about sexual assault. Detectives spoke to the 16-year-old victim, who said she met a man (Santora) online and went to meet him.
The victim said the man bought her a bus ticket. Detectives confirmed the victim had been reported missing in another state.
The victim did not know the man's real name. Investigation revealed the suspect as Joseph Santora.
Chief Operating Officer of NC Stop Human Trafficking, Melinda Sampson, said there are many signs to look out for when identifying a trafficking victim.
"If a person is not allowed to speak for themselves or they don't speak for themselves, someone else speaks for them, that's a strange indicator but it's an indicator nonetheless because that trafficker is calling the shots, right?," Sampson said.
Red flags also include someone who has no control over their money or schedule or must always be accompanied by someone.
Sampson said most of the time, victims are trafficked by people they know or are in an intimate relationship with, "somebody typically knows the trafficker, and that trafficker victimizes them. This idea that it's abduction, like forcible kidnap by a stranger, I'm not saying it can't happen, I'm just saying that people are worried about that when they should be worried about healthy relationships."
Sampson said if you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, it's best not to intervene, as it could be dangerous for both you and the victim.
If you sense immediate danger, call 911. If you are suspicious - call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or local law enforcement.
Sampson said if local law enforcement doesn't have someone trained on how to deal with human trafficking victims, it's best to stick with the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.
