Women, Juvenile Rescued In Twin Cites Sting Operation

TWIN CITES, MN — More than a dozen people were taken into custody following a two-day undercover operation focusing on human trafficking and solicitation. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) led the operation with assistance from the Fridley Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

The Plymouth Police Department and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office provided additional assistance.

Over two days this week, a sting operation was conducted utilizing undercover agents and investigators. The subjects believed they were going to meet with a child 13 to 15 years old for sex, according to authorities. Separately, agents targeted online solicitation using multiple social media platforms.

By the time the operation ended this afternoon, investigators arrested 19 people who were all booked into the Anoka County Jail. All are from the greater Twin Cities area, according to a news release. Charges are expected within the next few days.

• 15 men were taken into custody on probable cause solicitation of a child
• 2 men and 2 women were taken into custody on probable cause felony human trafficking
• 10 women were rescued from sex trafficking, including one juvenile

The juvenile victim was placed in protective custody in Anoka County. The nine adult victims were identified, interviewed and released following Minnesota Safe Harbor guidelines. While the operation has ended, these remain active and ongoing investigations.

The Minnesota ICAC Task Force investigates incidents of child exploitation. It is led by agents in the BCA Predatory Crimes Section, which conducts human trafficking, child exploitation and predatory offender investigations.

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