SPOTLIGHT CASE Human Trafficking Awareness Thread

[N1GHTW4TCH]

Information on Human Trafficking in the Illicit Massage Industry by Polaris Project.

Weblink leads to a document on the issue. Sent for in depth awareness of this issue inside the United States.

https://polarisproject.org/wp-conte...Trafficking-in-Illicit-Massage-Businesses.pdf

 

[Vern]

Welcome to Websleuths!!

<modsnip: Thread has been moved to this existing thread>

I haven't finished reading your attachment (very insightful thus far!) as I am heading off to work, but my word ... wow.

And although focused on the US, this victimization of workers is seen on an an international scale. Yep, also right in my backyard horrifically. I'll finish it when I get home.

 

[N1GHTW4TCH]

Welcome to Websleuths!!

<modsnip: Thread has been moved to this existing thread>

I haven't finished reading your attachment (very insightful thus far!) as I am heading off to work, but my word ... wow.

And although focused on the US, this victimization of workers is seen on an an international scale. Yep, also right in my backyard horrifically. I'll finish it when I get home.

<modsnip: Thread has been moved to this existing thread>

Indeed. It is sourced overseas. Overseas, women are normally trafficked from Asia, Africa and Eurasia.

In the US, however; the vast majority of these illicit massage parlors have trafficking victims from Asian countries. It is sexual slavery.

One of the most common techniques traffickers use is luring. Human traffickers lure women to the US using scams. They will source green cards, visas and passports for the victims. Traffickers will then hold onto the green card or passport so the women cannot leave the country or escape.

Rhetorical question and my opinion: Why is trafficking NOT discussed in the news in regards to the recent shootings? The fact that these parlors are so prevalent is evidence that authorities are ignoring the issue. More should be done to curb human trafficking to the US from Asia and end illicit massage parlors in the US.

 

[dotr]

May 27 2021
Toronto Police Service :: News Release #50028
Human Trafficking Survivors: Home
''It is important for you to know that the Toronto Police Service (TPS) is here to provide assistance and support. The TPS believes that everyone impacted by human trafficking and sexual exploitation should be treated with respect and dignity, fairness and honesty and in a professional and bias-free manner. Our duty is to bring an appropriate resolution to the case by conducting a professional and thorough investigation, while at the same time providing you with the necessary information and resources to assist you.''

''If you do not want to make a report to the police, or you need time and support to make that decision, we have partnered with many other agencies that can help you during this difficult time. A list of these agencies and their contact information is located on this website.''

''A21 is a non-profit organization whose "Can You See Me?" videos aim to turn awareness into action by giving people enough knowledge to report tips to Police and National Hotlines when they suspect trafficking, so they can identify and help victims.
Click on the scenarios below to learn more and watch the videos. Sex trafficking and labour trafficking are depicted in the videos
WARNING: The content of the following videos may be disturbing for some viewers.''

 

[TedMac]

Sex offenders arrested and missing children recovered in New Orleans

 

[roche.analisa]

This one is local to me: Tarrant County multi-agency operation nets 115 human trafficking arrests

 

[dotr]

Oct 26, 2021

''Inside the exclusive investigation into how sex trafficking happens unchecked, and the signs to look out for in your community. Cristina Howorun's behind-the-scenes insight into original Citytv documentary, "VeraCity: Fighting Traffick."
Oct 25, 2021

 

[TedMac]

Speeding stop leads to sex trafficking ring, rescue of three victims including 15-year-old girl

DETROIT (FOX 2) - The Michigan State Police have saved at least three victims of sex trafficking and arrested one person and it all started with a traffic stop.

MSP stopped a speeding car on 8 Mile near the border of Detroit and Warren Monday night. The driver, a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing from Jackson County, was later determined to be a sex trafficking victim.

 

[TedMac]

Fulton County human trafficking investigation leads to arrests | kvue.com

14-year-old missing for 7 weeks rescued in Georgia human trafficking investigation
An underage victim has been rescued, and four suspects have been arrested following a human trafficking investigation.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — An underage victim was rescued, and four suspects were arrested in Fulton County following a 10-month long human trafficking investigation, Attorney General Chris Carr reported in a press release. The 14-year-old victim had been missing for seven weeks.

It all began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued an alert, sparking an investigation by the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit. Unit Investigator Bryan Kimbell located and rescued the underage victim in Feb. 2021, approximately seven weeks before the victim was reported missing.

A Fulton County Magistrate Court later issued arrest warrants for two suspects in Fulton County on Nov. 2, 2021 and for two additional suspects in Fulton County on Dec. 6, 2021, Carr said. A list of the charges against the four individuals can be viewed below.

• Human Trafficking for Sexual Servitude, Rape, Child Molestation and Cruelty to Children. If convicted, the maximum potential sentence is life in prison plus 40 years.
• Human Trafficking for Sexual Servitude. If convicted, the maximum potential sentence is life in prison.
• Human Trafficking for Sexual Servitude, Cruelty to Children, False Imprisonment and Aggravated Assault. If convicted, the maximum potential sentence is life in prison plus 40 years.
• Human Trafficking for Sexual Servitude. If convicted, the maximum potential sentence is life in prison.

“Our Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit continues to play an integral role in our state’s response to the abuse and exploitation of Georgia’s children,” Carr said in a press release. “Our team works from the ground-up to identify potential cases, locate and rescue victims, and prosecute buyers and traffickers. We remain dedicated in our efforts to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens and look forward to presenting these cases in court.”

The Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has made nine arrests, initiated 25 cases, and rescued and assisted 107 victims in 2021.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit, South Fulton Police Department, Union City Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations law enforcement agencies all assisted in the 10-month long investigation that led to the rescue and multiple arrests in the case.

 

[TedMac]

5 missing teens found, 30 arrested in New Orleans metro operation | kvue.com

"NEW ORLEANS — Working with several law enforcement agencies in Greater New Orleans, the U.S. Marshals Service recovered 5 teenagers who were missing and endangered and arrested 30 people — including 17 sex offenders, according to a statement from the U.S. Marshals Service.

The arrested and recoveries were a result of the U.S. Marshals New Orleans Task Force's annual Operation Boo Dat..."

 

[dotr]

Feb 15 2022 rbbm.
LA human trafficking operation rescues more than 80 victims | The Star
''LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles law enforcement announced Tuesday the rescue of more than 80 human trafficking and sexual exploitation victims, including children, during a weeklong operation that also netted hundreds of arrests.

The annual “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild” was held last week and coincided with the run-up to the Super Bowl in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva said 74 adults and eight children were rescued, while 34 suspected traffickers were arrested. About 200 sex buyers, known as johns, were also taken into custody as part of the operation.''

 

[TedMac]

‘Operation March Sadness 2’: Disney Employees Arrested In Human Trafficking Sting

Law enforcement officials in Polk County, Florida, announced Wednesday that four Disney employees were among the over 100 people arrested in a successful human trafficking sting.

 

[dotr]

Apr 17, 2022
Missing NY teen escaped sex traffickers, mom says
''STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) — A teenage girl from Queens who had been missing for six months turned up at a Staten Island police precinct early Friday morning, telling cops she escaped sex traffickers who had raped and drugged her.
“She was being held with two other girls,” the 15-year-old’s mother told PIX11 News Friday. “She’s at the hospital on Staten Island.”
PIX11 News had profiled the story of the girl from Forest Hills twice, as part of regular reports on The Missing.
A law enforcement source confirmed she turned up at the 121st Precinct Friday morning.
The girl was 14 years old when she disappeared on Oct. 13.''

''The mother said her daughter and the two other girls had been sexually assaulted and drugged by the men who were holding them.

“She said they had them in separate rooms and had the doors locked,” the mother said, quoting her daughter. “… she don’t know the girls, because they always had them separated.”

 

[dotr]

Sat, May 21, 2022

Eight Arrested After Snatching Teen at Dallas Mavericks Game

The girl, who was abducted when she went to use the bathroom at a basketball game, was found 10 days later after nude pics of her were discovered on a prostitution website.

www.thedailybeast.com

Photo Composite by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Oklahoma County Detention Center

''Eight people have been arrested in Oklahoma City for allegedly trafficking a 15-year-old Texas girl, who was abducted at a Dallas Mavericks game last month when she left her father to go and use the bathroom.''

The teen went to the bathroom at the American Airlines Center on April 8 and never returned, her family’s attorney Zeke Fortenberry of the Fortenberry Firm, PLLC said in a release, obtained by Fox News.

She was missing for 10 days until Oklahoma City law enforcement located her at an Extended Stay America hotel— roughly 200 miles away — on April 18.''

 

[dotr]

Woman charged after allegedly recruiting Mexican nationals to Canada and stealing their wages

A 40-year-old woman is facing human traffic charges after she allegedly recruited Mexican nationals to come to Canada for work and then took a 'significant' cut of their wages.

toronto.ctvnews.ca

July 11 2022
''A 40-year-old woman is facing human traffic charges after she allegedly recruited Mexican nationals to come to Canada for work and then took a "significant" cut of their wages.

Members of the Toronto Police Service Human Trafficking Enforcement Team began an investigation into the matter in April.

Police say that investigators believe that the accused would recruit Mexican nationals “with the promise of attending Canada for work and housing” but would then confiscate their travel documents and lodge them in several properties.''

 

[TedMac]

Officials arrest 16 suspects in Arizona for child sex crimes, human trafficking​

Officials arrest 16 suspects in Arizona for child sex crimes, human trafficking

A total of 16 suspects were arrested in Arizona following an undercover operation targeting sex crimes and human trafficking.

www.foxnews.com

"According to Phoenix Police, the department coordinated with other law enforcement agencies for "Operation Tangled Web," an undercover operation targeting the "demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking."

In carrying out the operation, undercover detectives posted advertisements on websites that are "commonly sought out by suspects seeking illegal sex acts," the department said, FOX 10 reported."

 

[dotr]

North Texas youth pastor, high school coach and volunteer firefighter among 46 arrested in commercial sex sting, Homeland Security says

Among those arrested were a volunteer firefighter, youth pastor, high school teacher, football coach and the director of operations for a large hospital network.

www.wfaa.com

January 23, 2023

''DALLAS — Forty-six people have been arrested in connection with a commercial sex sting across North Texas, including a volunteer firefighter, youth pastor, high school teacher, football coach and the director of operations for a large hospital network, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced.''

 

[dotr]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/human-trafficking-ontario-indigenous-akwesasne-survivor-2023-1.6760973

Feb 27 2023 rbbm
''Sierra, 34, is determined to speak out about how she survived what she calls a hellish ordeal.

Raised by a mother who moved frequently between the United States and Akwesasne — a Mohawk community bordering Cornwall, Ont. — Sierra said she had a chaotic childhood, including being raped several times.

It was in Texas, at the age of 14, that she met the man who later sold her.
The trafficker, twice her age and at first charming, began selling her to many clients, she said.''
''Akwesasne is susceptible to human traffickers because of its geographic location, Dussault said, because you can travel freely between Quebec and the United States with no border crossings.
It's also surrounded by the waters of the St. Lawrence River, a convenient channel for traffickers of weapons, tobacco — and people.''



Divided by Quebec, Ontario and New York borders, the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne has approximately 20,000 residents. (Radio-Canada)
''When the river is frozen, traffickers cross the borders via "the ice road" on foot or by snowmobile, often managing to evade the Canadian Coast Guard, Dussault said.

Traffickers also rely on Highway 401, a major trade corridor between Quebec and Windsor, Ont., that passes through Cornwall. Via the 401, they can stop in several cities to sell trafficked people and recruit others.''

 

[dotr]

'Deplorable conditions:' Police rescue 64 Mexican nationals who were brought to the GTA and exploited for their labour

Police have arrested five people and have issued arrest warrants for two others following a months-long investigation into an alleged human trafficking ring that they say was enticing Mexican nationals into Canada with promises of a “better life” and then exploiting them for their labour.

www.cp24.com

March 3, 2023
''Police have arrested five people and have issued arrest warrants for two others following a months-long investigation into an alleged human trafficking ring that they say was enticing Mexican nationals into Canada with promises of a “better life” and then exploiting them for their labour.
The investigation, dubbed “Project Norte,” began in November after York Regional Police received a complaint from a single Mexican national about his work and living conditions in Canada.
Det. Sgt. Gary McBride said that officers then spoke with other Mexican nationals who also indicated that they had been exploited by an organized crime group operating in the Greater Toronto Area.''

A police vehicle is shown outside a home raided as part of an investigation into a human trafficking group on Feb. 8. (York Regional Police)
''The probe was eventually widened to include participation from the Canada Border Services Agency and on Feb. 8 police executed warrants at five properties in East Gwillimbury, Vaughan, Toronto and Mississauga.
A total of 64 Mexican nationals were rescued during the execution of those search warrants.''

 

[TedMac]

LIVE- Sheriff Grady Judd gives update after hundreds arrested in undercover human trafficking bust​

Polk County school coach, Disney employees among 200 arrested in human trafficking-focused operation, deputies say

A Polk County school athletic director and coach was among more than 200 people arrested in a human trafficking-focused operation, according to the sheriff’s office.

www.wfla.com

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Polk County school athletic director and coach was among more than 200 people arrested in a human trafficking-focused operation, according to the sheriff’s office.

Polk County deputies said 219 arrests were made during the seven-day-long undercover operation.