A coalition of Northland law enforcement agencies combined efforts to combat human trafficking occurring in the communities north and east of Kansas City on Aug. 7-8.
The Clay, Clinton, Platte, and Ray county sheriffs and the Kearney Police Department each hosted a proactive counter trafficking operation in their jurisdiction. They were assisted substantially by the Cameron Police, Richmond Police, Kansas City International Airport Police, Kansas City (Kan.) Police, and Riverside Police departments, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Social Services - State Technical Assistance Team, and Homeland Security Investigations. Technical assistance was provided by the Bourbon County (Kan.) Sheriff, Butler County (Kan.) Sheriff, Goodyear County (Ariz.) Police, Greenwood County (Kan.) Sheriff, Mesa (Ariz.) Police, Peoria (Ariz.) Police, and Washoe County (Nev.) Sheriff.
This operation was designed from the beginning to reduce the demand for victimization of victim-survivors of sex trafficking in these communities, connect to and provide critical services and support to these potential victims, and especially deter any suspect attempting to prey upon children who have been enslaved by the commercial sex industry. The results for this operation were:
7 suspects arrested and booked for attempting to buy sex with a child
3 suspects arrested and booked for attempting to buy sex
2 suspects arrested for promoting prostitution for recruiting a person to engage in prostitution. One suspect in this case was ultimately booked for kidnapping and sexual assault after work by the investigators revealed additional crimes that were occurring in another jurisdiction. A victim-survivor was recovered and placed into aftercare.
8 potential sex trafficking survivors met with local advocates from Value Unconditional and RPOR, with technical assistance provided by ICTSOS. Many of them are now receiving advocacy and aftercare support.
All of the agencies involved in this effort want to remind everyone that sex trafficking is a violation of the freedoms enjoyed as Americans and Missourians. Human trafficking won’t be tolerated in the community now or ever.
“I commend the actions of every agency involved in this operation,” said Sheriff Erik Holland. “No community is immune to these types of crimes. Law enforcement must continue to work together and share resources in a commitment to fight sex trafficking.”