More arrests coming in alleged sex trafficking of Long Island teen Emmarae Gervasi: source
More arrests are expected in the alleged sex trafficking of Long Island teen Emmarae Gervasi, The Post has learned.
“There’s a few more people” Suffolk County police are looking into, said a source with knowledge of the investigation.
The source added detectives are amassing evidence against the suspects “to ensure convictions.”
Gervasi, 14, went missing from her Patchogue home on Dec. 9. She was seen on surveillance video leaving her house shoeless before hopping into a car. An ankle bracelet she’d been wearing was found cut and dumped not far away.
The girl’s father, Frank Gervasi, found her on Jan. 3 on a 56-foot yacht moored in Islip, 13 miles from the Gervasi home. He said he received a tip his daughter was there, and went to rescue her.
Eight people have so far been busted in connection with the case.
Cops have arrested the boat’s owner, Francis Buckheit, 64, and Alton Harrell, 35, on rape, child endangerment, and kidnapping charges.
Bunice Knight, 47, was charged with second-degree rape, child endangerment, and three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Daniel Burke, 63, and Robert Eccleston, 61, have been charged with kidnapping, rape, and child endangerment.
Two women, Jacquelyn Comiskey, 52, and Elizabeth Hunter, 34, were charged this week with sex trafficking and child endangerment.
Kevin McDonald, 20, is accused of raping the girl in a car the day after she vanished.
All of the defendants in this case have entered not guilty pleas.
