Crime & Safety
28 Victims Rescued In Twin Cities Sex Trafficking Sting: BCA
One minor was rescued in the undercover operation, according to police.
TWIN CITIES, MN — Nearly five dozen people are facing possible felony charges following their arrests for attempting to solicit children for sex or for trafficking victims, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
Investigators with the BCA-led Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force conducted an operation April 4-8 in several Twin Cities communities. During the operation, suspects chatted on several social media platforms with undercover agents and investigators who posed as minors or as sex buyers. Investigators arrested the suspects as they arrived at an arranged meeting place for an encounter.
Suspects were booked into the Hennepin, Anoka or Ramsey county jails and their cases will be submitted for charging. Most are from the greater Twin Cities area, according to a news release.
Find out what's happening in St. Louis Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- 47 people were booked on probable cause felony solicitation of a minor or solicitation of prostitution under 16 years of age.
- 11 people were booked on probable cause sex trafficking, promotion of prostitution.
- 28 victims were rescued from trafficking situations, including one minor.
“This operation is an example of the aggressive steps necessary to stop traffickers and johns who buy and sell people for sex in our communities,” said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans in a statement. “We can’t let this crime continue, and we must work together to stop it.”
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of being trafficked, call 911. To report a suspected trafficking situation, call the BCA at (877) 996-6222.
Find out what's happening in St. Louis Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.