Backpage website

Backpage website head Carl Ferrer faces sex charges

A three-year investigation concluded that "many" of its adult escort adverts involved prostitutes and victims of sex trafficking, including children, the department said.

Warrants have also been issued for two controlling shareholders.

The site, which operates around the world, is still online.

Allegations that the site has carried adverts aiding forced prostitution have dogged the platform for some years.