Sex trafficking experts weigh in on FBI strip club arrest

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The FBI raided a Colonie strip club and arrested the general manager on drug and sex trafficking charges. Experts weighed in on the incident and the correlation between substance abuse and sex trafficking. 

Federal investigators raided Shenanigan's on Tuesday and arrested general manager Luigi Canessa on wire fraud and drug and sex trafficking charges. Former employees, neighbors and experts talked to NEWS10 about the raid. 

The FBI investigation is ongoing, but experts said the case highlights how legal establishments often have illegal activities taking place. 

Neighbors in the area did not want to talk on camera but said there has always been a lot of activity at Shenanigan's. One neighbor said it’s about time authorities did something about it. They said that the FBI raid was not surprising to them.

And former Shenanigan's dancers echoed that and said the club was “sketchy”. Some said they were aware illegal activity was happening and left because of that. Renee Henck is the anti-trafficking coordinator at Safe Inc. of Schenectady.  

“A lot of legal establishments have trafficking or illegal activity going on inside them and I think that’s something that we often forget. Trafficking takes place in plain sight and two of the biggest culprits in the trafficking industry are the pornography industry and strip clubs,” said Henck.

She said there’s a strong correlation between substance abuse and sex trafficking.

“Traffickers who kept their victims incredibly dependent on their substances, and kind of threatened to take them away, or they would keep them high to lower their inhibitions and kind of convince them to do something they might not otherwise be doing,” said Henck.

Kevin Doherty is the executive director of Safe Inc. of Schenectady and describes how the anti-trafficking program helps victims.

“Intensive case management, help them find housing, help them find jobs, help them learn to be safe,” said Doherty.

He said victims of trafficking are usually coerced into it and targeted by criminals who operate strategically.

“They are certainly manipulative. They are certainly controlling. They’re certainly personalities that look to use other people to further themselves,” said Doherty.

Henck said it is unfortunate that more victims are in the news than traffickers. She said it’s difficult to get trafficking charges to stick because victims are rarely willing to speak up, out of fear of retaliation. 

The Sex Trade Survivors Justice & Equality Act would protect victims from being charged when they come forward. Henck said decriminalization is necessary to address the issue. 

She urges anyone in need of help to reach out to a local (518-374-5178) or national hotlines (888-373-7888). 

“If you have any opportunity, asking a medical professional, asking them for help. Fireman, EMTs, first responders that you come across, they can help you,” said Henck.